v  -  •  f    " 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

Rare  Book  Room 
GIFT  OF 

John  W.  Beckman 


University  of  California  •  Berkeley 


Charlie   handed  her  into  the  sleigh  in   his   best 
style.    Page  92. 


THE  BOY  FRIEND; 

OR, 

ALL   CAN  HELP. 


BY   AUNT   FKIENDLY, 

AUTHOR  OP  "TIMID  LUCY,"  "FIDGETTY  SKEERT,"  &C. 


"  Know  them  which  labour  among  you.    Esteem  them  very 
highly  in  love,  for  their  work's  sake." 


PHILADELPHIA: 

WILLIAM  S.  &  ALFRED  MARTIEN, 

606  CHESTNUT  STREET. 

1862. 


Entered,  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1862, 
BY  WILLIAM  S.  &  ALFRED  MARTIEN, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Clerk  of  the  District  Court  for  the 
Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 
AN  ICY  MORNING 5 

CHAPTER  II. 
A  BOYISH  VISITOR 16 

CHAPTER  III. 
A  STEP  NEARER 24 

CHAPTER  IV. 
KATY  BROWN 35 

CHAPTER  V. 
POOR  FUN 55 

CHAPTER  VI. 
GOOD  SEED  67 

CHAPTER  VII. 
HOMELESS 80 


CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER  VIII. 


A  FALL. 


CHAPTER  IX. 
THE  CONFIRMATION 101 

CHAPTER  X. 
ANNIE'S  WORK 104 

CHAPTER  XI. 
ANNIE'S  VISIT Ill 

CHAPTER  XII. 
A  BLACK  SHADOW 123 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
PURER  AIR 131 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
A  VESTRY  MEETING 138 

CHAPTER  XV. 
CONCLUSION 1 43 


THE  BOY  FBIEND. 


CHAPTER  I. 

AN    ICY    MORNING. 

ICE!  ice!  everywhere!  Ice  on  the 
ground,  ice  on  the  trees,  ice  on  the 
fences — the  very  houses  coated  with 
ice!  So  it  was  at  Meedville,  one 
Sunday  morning  in  December,  yet 
the  church-bell  rang  out  as  cheerily  as 
if  it  were  the  merry  month  of  May, 
and  the  gate  to  the  churchyard  was 
thrown  as  wide  open  as  if  the  broad 
walk  were  not  one  sheet  of  treach 
erous  ice,  promising  a  downfall  to 
any  who  dared  to  venture  upon  it.  A 
heavy  mist  was  in  the  air,  and  there 
2 


6  THE    BOY   FRIEND; 

was  a  continual  rattling  sound,  as  the 
trees  dropped  morsels  of  their  frozen 
coating,  when  their  branches  waved 
in  the  wind. 

Would  anybody  venture  out  on 
such  a  day'?  The  sexton  seemed  to 
think  so,  for  he  pulled  the  bell-rope 
as  if  he  was  sure  that  he  was  accom 
plishing  a  good  end. 

At  Meedville  there  were  some 
church-goers  who  never  staid  at 
home  for  wind  or  weather,  and 
Mrs.  Berridge  and  her  family  were 
among  them.  The  good  lady  herself, 
and  her  two  daughters,  would  as 
soon  have  thought  of  putting  out 
their  own  eyes,  as  neglecting  the 
sound  of  that  well-known  bell.  In 
their  seats  they  were  sure  to  be 
when  the  minister  entered  the  chan 
cel;  that  is,  their  bodies  were  sure  to 


OR,   ALL   CAN    HELP.  7 

be  there,  wherever  else  their  minds 
might  chance  to  be  wandering. 

On  this  particular  morning  they 
had  a  stranger  with  them;  not 
one  of  the  tall,  dignified  men,  or  the 
fashionably  dressed  ladies,  who  occa 
sionally  appeared  there,  but  a  lad, 
in  his  grey  roundabout — a  boy,  evi 
dently  not  more  than  fourteen  years 
of  age. 

The  stranger  seemed  to  think  him 
self  enough  of  a  gentleman  to  walk 
up  the  middle  aisle  in  advance  of  the 
party,  and  throw  wide  open  the  door 
of  the  third  pew,  for  Mrs.  Berridge  and 
her  daughters  to  pass  in.  This  feat 
Miss  Augusta  Berridge  accomplished 
without  any  injury  to  her  garments 
in  squeezing  through  the  narrow 
passage.  Little  Annie  followed,  imi 
tating  her  sister's  movements  with 


8  THE  BOY  FRIEND; 

great  care,  and  perching  herself  at 
length  on  the  seat,  with  a  satisfied 
air,  as  if  the  business  of  the  morning 
was  over,  and  now  she  had  nothing 
to  do  but  look  about  her,  and  see 
who  was  at  church. 

Annie  had  moved  her  head  from 
side  to  side,  and  pointed  with  her  nose 
at  all  the  people  down  one  aisle,  and 
had  actually  counted  twenty,  when 
she  noticed  that  her  cousin  Charlie 
was  still  on  his  knees.  What  could 
he  be  about  all  this  time] 

It  did  not  once  cross  Annie's  mind 
that  Charles  Clement  was  entering, 
for  the  first  time,  a  church  where  he 
expected  to  worship  for  a  whole  year, 
and  that  he  might  feel  this  an  occa 
sion  for  special  prayer.  She  could 
not  know  that  he  was  asking  that 
he  might  ever  find  his  Heavenly 


OR,    ALL    CAN    HELP.  9 

Father  near  him  in  that  humble 
sanctuary,  and  that  he  might  be  him 
self  a  faithful  hearer  of  the  mes 
sages  which  the  appointed  clergyman 
should  bring  to  his  soul. 

Of  course  Annie  Berridge  could 
not  know  all  this ;  she  did  not  even 
guess  it,  for  to  serious  thoughts  she 
was  herself  a  stranger.  Moreover, 
she  had  not  in  the  least  suspected 
that  her  cousin  Charlie  was  of  what 
she  called  "a  religious  turn."  She 
had  not  seen  him,  so  far  as  she  could 
remember,  till  the  evening  before, 
and  then  he  had  been  so  merry  and 
agreeable,  that  she  fancied  he  must 
always  be  in  a  frolic. 

Charlie  Clement  knew  that  there 

was  "a  time  to  laugh,"  and  that  this 

was  not   a  suitable  time  he  plainly 

thought ;  for  when  Augusta  Berridge 

2* 


10  THE   BOY  FRIEND; 

turned  her  face  towards  him,  and 
gave  it  a  comical,  dolorous  twist, 
as  the  minister  entered  the  chan 
cel,  there  was  a  very  sober  look  in 
his  eye,  instead  of  the  answering 
smile  she  expected. 

The  service  went  on.  Charlie  did 
not  see  Augusta  passing  her  quick 
glances  over  the  congregation;  he 
did  not  notice  the  quiet  munching  of 
candy  with  which  Annie  contented 
herself;  nor  did  he  see  that  Mrs. 
Berridge's  thoughts  were  far  from 
the  book  on  which  her  eyes  were 
bent. 

Mrs.  Berridge  had  a  respect  for 
religion.  She  liked  a  devout  man 
ner  in  church.  She  wanted  to  set  a 
good  example ;  but  she  had  not  come 
up  to  the  Lord's  house  to  praise  him 
for  his  mercies,  and  to  call  upon  him 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  11 

for  forgiveness,  and  for  that  Holy 
Spirit  he  delights  to  bestow  on  all 
who  ask  it.  Her  service  was  vain, 
fair  as  it  was  in  outside  show. 

For  once  there  was  a  true  wor 
shipper  in  Mrs.  Berridge's  pew. 
Augusta  looked  at  her  cousin  Charles 
in  astonishment.  He  seemed  really 
interested  in  what  he  was  about,  and 
when  the  sermon  began,  he  listened 
as  if  he  wanted  to  hear;  he  listened 
respectfully,  like  one  who  expected 
to  be  taught  a  lesson  worth  learning. 

The  young  clergyman  was  by  no 
means  unattractive  in  appearance. 
There  was  a  look  of  earnest  thought 
about  his  face,  but  no  traces  of  genial 
warmth,  or  of  any  kind  of  conscious 
ness  of  the  outer  world.  During  the 
prayers  he  was  forgotten,  for  he 
spoke  with  quiet  simplicity;  but  in 


12  THE  BOY  FRIEND; 

the  pulpit  he  seemed  declaiming, 
rather  than  addressing  the  people 
on  a  matter  of  moment  to  them. 
His  sermon  was  a  fine  essay  on 
the  beauty  of  divine  truth,  but 
seemed  intended  to  reach  no  par 
ticular  class  of  persons,  and  to  pro 
duce  no  particular  effect. 

"  O,  how  good  it  is  to  get  out  into 
the  fresh  air!"  exclaimed  Augusta 
Berridge,  as  she  stepped  from  the 
church  door.  "  Dreadfully  dull !  Was 
it  not,  Charlie]" 

Charlie  was  fairly  startled  by  the 
sudden  loud  tones  of  his  companion. 
A  silence,  that  should  have  reproved, 
was  his  reply.  He  had  been  taught 
that  there  should  be  a  reverent 
retiring  from  the  house  of  God,  as 
from  the  presence  of  a  king;  no  noise 
in  the  ante-chamber,  no  rude  haste 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  13 

in  laying  aside  the  garment  of  solem 
nity  suited  to  such  an  audience. 

"  O !  Cousin  Charlie !  Hold  me  up ! 
I  certainly  shall  fall!"  said  Annie, 
putting  her  foot  timidly  on  the  ice- 
covered  steps. 

The  lad  helped  the  little  girl  ten 
derly  down,  and  then  joined  Mrs. 
Berridge  and  Augusta,  who  were 
waiting  for  him  below. 

"  Isn't  he  tiresome — Mr.  Mayer  I 
mean,"  said  Augusta,  as  they  walked 
along. 

"He  cannot  help  it,  my  child. 
Poor  young  man!  we  must  be  pa 
tient  with  him.  Nobody  likes  him, 
and  I  suppose  he  knows  it.  For  my 
part,  I  am  sorry  for  him,  though  it 
is  quite  a  trial  to  have  such  dull 
preaching,"  said  the  mother. 

Charles  looked  up  in  astonishment, 


14  THE  BOY  FRIEND; 

but  said  simply,  "Has  Mr.  Mayer 
been  long  settled  here]" 

"Only  half  a  year.  The  bishop 
recommended  him,  and  the  vestry 
took  him  without  much  thought. 
He  stood  high  at  the  Seminary  ; 
why,  I  cannot  imagine,"  was  the 
reply. 

"I  should  think  he  was  a  man  of 
talents,  and  might  be  very  agreeable 
in  conversation,"  said  Charles. 

"Nobody  knows  much  about  that; 
he  visits  very  little.  He  seems  shy — 
uncommonly  shy.  I  never  could 
bear  a  bashful  man,"  said  Mrs.  Ber- 
ridge. 

"I  mean  to  go  and  see  him,"  re 
marked  Charlie;  "I  like  to  know  my 
minister." 

Augusta  turned  her  sharp  black 
eyes  quickly  upon  Charlie,  to  see  if 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  15 

he  was  smiling,  but  he  .looked  per 
fectly  sober,  and  she  began  to  laugh, 
saying, 

"  I  think  I  see  him  going  through 
the  torture  of  your  visit.  First  he 
rises,  as  if  he  had  a  cramp  in  the 
knees;  then  out  goes  his  arm,  as  if 
it  were  jerked  out  with  an  invisible 
string.  Before  you  have  time  to 
fairly  shake  his  hand,  down  it  drops, 
and  he  looks  you  straight  in  the  eyes, 
as  if  to  ask  you,  what's  your  business. 
May  I  go  with  you?' 

"No,  no!  But,  cousin,  I  really 
mean  to  go,"  replied  Charlie;  and  so 
the  conversation  ended,  as  the  family 
had  reached  Mrs.  Berridge's  pleasant 
home. 


16  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 


CHAPTER  II. 

A    BOYISH    VISITOR. 

CHARLES  CLEMENT  was  the  oldest  son 
in  a  family  of  six,  and  his  mother 
was  a  widow.  It  was  not  strange 
that  he  felt  himself  quite  a  man,  as 
for  three  years  he  had  been  his 
mother's  companion,  and  frequently 
her  adviser.  The  younger  children 
looked  up  to  him  as  a  remarkable 
person,  and  many  of  his  schoolmates 
and  friends  were  of  the  same  opi 
nion. 

That  Charlie  was  not  at  all  diffi 
dent  of  his  own  powers,  was  plain 
from  his  decided  step,  and  the  parti 
cularly  erect  manner  in  which  he 
carried  his  plump  but  well-formed 


OR5   ALL   CAN   HELP.  17 

figure.  There  was  nothing  of  pride 
or  arrogance,  however,  in  his  air, 
and  in  his  round  cheerful  face  there 
was  a  bright,  sunny  expression, 
which  seemed  to  promise  a  willing 
ness  to  think  kindly  of  others  as 
well  as  of  himself. 

Charlie  would  have  packed  up  his 
trunk,  if  occasion  had  required,  and 
travelled  from  Maine  to  Georgia 
alone,  as  composedly  as  if  he  were  a 
person  of  forty.  He  had  so  long 
done  the  honours  in  his  own  home, 
and  kept  a  watchful,  protective  eye 
upon  his  mother,  that  there  was  a 
kind  of  manliness  about  him  uncom 
mon  in  a  lad  of  his  age. 

When  he  dressed  himself  on  Mon 
day  morning,  with  particular  care, 
before  paying  his  intended  visit  to 
the  rector,  he  had  no  idea  that  he 
3 


18  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

was  about  doing  a  thing  from  which 
any  boy  would  shrink. 

He  had  no  difficulty  in  finding 
the  humble  lodging  of  Mr.  Mayer: 
humble,  for  though  the  people  of 
Meedville  expected  a  minister  un 
equalled  in  talent  and  piety,  they 
had  no  idea  of  giving  him  a  salary 
which  would  be  more  than  a  bare 
subsistence. 

Charlie  knocked  twice  before  any 
notice  was  taken  of  his  arrival. 
It  was  plain  that  it  was  Monday  in 
every  sense  of  the  word  in  that  esta 
blishment,  a  true  washing-day,  when 
all  things  must  give  way  to  the 
weekly  purification.  A  little  woman 
with  a  bonnet  on,  and  a  wet  dress 
pinned  up  round  her  waist,  at  length 
made  her  appearance  from  the  rear 
of  the  house.  She  opened  her  eyes 


OR,   ALL   CAN    HELP.  19 

with  astonishment,  when  instead  of 
the  supposed  "fish-man,"  Master 
Charlie  Clement  stood  before  her, 
with  his  cap  in  hand. 

"  Is  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mayer  at  home  ]" 
said  Charlie,  with  his  usual  com 
posure. 

"Yes.  I  don't  know.  Yes,  I'll 
see,"  said  the  woman,  in  evident 
confusion;  whether  at  her  own  la 
mentably  moist  condition,  or  at  the 
unwonted  appearance  of  a  visitor  at 
that  time,  on  a  Monday  morning,  it 
was  hard  to  decide. 

The  woman  of  the  bonnet  disap 
peared  at  a  side-door,  without  asking 
the  stranger  to  walk  in.  Master 
Charlie,  however,  made  bold  to  take 
a  few  steps  into  the  hall,  and  there 
he  awaited  her  return. 

He    had   stood    there    just    long 


20  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

enough  to  note  the  thread-bare  con 
dition  of  the  faded  carpet,  and  the 
paintless  arms  of  the  wooden  chair, 
when,  not  the  woman,  but  quite  an 
other  person  appeared.  A  tall  young 
man,  in  a  calico  dressing-gown,  came 
out  from  the  aforementioned  side- 
door,  and  looked  inquiringly  at 
Charlie. 

Charlie  did  not  at  first  recognise 
in  the  person  who  stood  before  him, 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Mayer  of  the  preceding 
day.  The  young  man  was  very  pale, 
and  a  mass  of  dark  hair  was  standing 
in  wild  confusion,  straight  off  from 
his  forehead,  and  his  brown  eyes 
stared  absently,  as  if  he  had  just 
been  roused  from  sleep.  The  fact 
was,  he  had  been  deep  in  the  compo 
sition  of  a  sermon.  His  head  had 
been  resting  on  his  hands,  and  his 


OR,   ALL   CAN    HELP.  21 

fingers  thrust  into  his  hair,  when 
he  was  called  to  see  "some  young 
chap  at  the  door,  asking  for  the  min 
ister." 

"Is  this  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mayer]" 
said  Charlie,  after  a  moment  of 
doubtful  silence. 

"Yes,  yes,"  said  Mr.  Mayer,  strug 
gling  to  keep  a  most  appropriate 
"  thirdly"  for  the  sermon  out  of  his 
mind,  and  to  attend  to  the  matter  in 
hand. 

"My  name  is  Charles  Clement," 
said  the  lad,  stepping  forward,  and 
putting  out  his  hand. 

A  name  all  unknown  to  fame,  it 
seemed  to  be  to  Mr.  Mayer.  He 
did  not  see  the  offered  hand,  but 
said, 

"  Well,  sir,  what  is  it,  this  morn- 


ing?" 


3* 


22  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

"  Perhaps  I  have  come  upon  you 
at  a  busy  time,"  said  Charles,  po 
litely. 

"  I  was  writing,  but" — and  the 
minister  looked  inquiringly  at  the 
boy,  "but  I  can  attend  to  you  now." 

"  I  have  no  particular  business,  I 
can  call  at  some  other  time,"  said 
Charlie,  retiring. 

Mr.  Mayer  gave  a  puzzled  look  at 
his  visitor,  and  driving  the  "  thirdly" 
fairly  from  his  thoughts,  said  plea 
santly, 

"Wont  you  walk  in  now'?" 

"I  thank  you,  not  this  morning, 
sir,"  said  Charlie,  decidedly,  "but  I 
should  like  to  come  again,  for  I  want 
to  know  my  minister." 

As  he  spoke  he  again  put  out  his 
hand,  and  looked  up  frankly  into 
Mr.  Mayer's  face. 


OR,    ALL   CAN   HELP.  23 

Mr.  Mayer  took  the  offered  hand, 
and  said,  shyly, 

"  Yes,  come  again,  I  shall  be  glad 
to  see  you." 

Another  bow,  and  a  pleasant  "  good 
morning"  from  Charles,  and  the  in 
terview  was  over. 

Charlie  Clement  was  more  amused 
than  annoyed  at  the  result  of  his 
proposed  call  on  the  rector.  He  had 
made  a  beginning,  and  he  was  not 
disheartened. 


24  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 


CHAPTER  III. 

A    STEP    NEARER. 

MRS.  BERRIDGE  had  thought  it  ne 
cessary  to  introduce  her  nephew  at 
the  academy,  where  he  was  to  be  a 
pupil.  Charlie  would  by  no  means 
have  hesitated  to  appear  there  alone, 
but  he  politely  assented,  when  his 
aui)t  proposed  to  accompany  him. 

Some  domestic  duties  had  kept 
her  at  home  on  Monday  morning, 
and  Charlie,  as  we  have  seen,  took 
the  opportunity  to  put  in  a  wedge 
towards  an  acquaintance  with  his 
rector. 

If  Mr.  Mayer  had  been  spoken  of 
respectfully,  the  lad  would  have  felt 
inclined  to  treat  him  with  all  due 


OR,   ALL   CAN    HELP.  25 

deference ;  indeed  he  had  been  taught 
that  a  certain  peculiar  politeness  and 
reverence  was  due  to  those  whose 
office  it  is  to  minister  in  spiritual 
things. 

The  light  and  unkind  manner  in 
which  Mr.  Mayer  had  been  men 
tioned,  had,  however,  called  out  a 
warmer  feeling  in  Charlie  Clement, 
than  might  otherwise  have  been 
aroused.  He  resolved,  for  his  part, 
to  treat  his  minister  with  respect 
and  affection,  and  to  be  by  no  means 
influenced  by  what  others  might  say 
about  him. 

As  to  the  further  prosecution  of 
his  acquaintance  he  was  somewhat 
puzzled.  Though  by  no  means  of  a 
bashful  nature,  he  hesitated  about 
risking  another  call,  where  such  visi 
tations  seemed  most  unexpected,  if 


26  THE    BOY   FRIEND; 

not  unwelcome.  Time  for  calling 
anywhere,  Charlie  had  little  or  none 
that  week,  after  he  had  fairly  en 
tered  upon  his  studies.  Although  he 
did  not  "consume  the  midnight  oil," 
it  was  after  nine  o'clock  before  his 
books  were  laid  aside,  and  he  was 
ready  to  fall  into  such  sound  sleep  as 
only  happy  healthy  youth  can  enjoy. 

After  this  week  of  constant  occu 
pation,  Saturday,  with  its  holiday 
hours,  was  most  welcome.  Breakfast 
was  hardly  over,  when  Charlie  pro 
duced  a  new  pair  of  skates,  and  de 
clared  his  intention  of  having  enough 
good  exercise  to  take  the  chill  out  of 
him  for  a  week  to  come. 

The  boys  on  the  neighbouring 
pond  soon  found  out  that  the  new 
scholar  was  likely  to  rank  number 
one  among  the  skaters,  as  well  as 


OR,    ALL   CAN   HELP.  27 

in  his  classes.  Such  cutting  of  let 
ters,  such  skilful  manoeuvres,  had 
not  often  been  seen  on  Meedville 
pond. 

The  academy  bell  at  length  called 
home  the  merry  party  to  dinner. 
Tutor  and  pupils  vanished  like  ice 
in  a  thaw.  Charlie  stopped  to  take 
a  few  more  successful  turns,  after  the 
coast  was  clear,  and  there  was  no 
danger  of  knocking  over  small  boys 
and  unskilful  skaters,  who  did  not 
know  how  to  keep  out  of  other  peo 
ple's  way. 

Dinner,  however,  was  not  a  matter 
of  entire  indifference  to  Charlie  Cle 
ment,  and  he  too  turned  his  face 
homeward.  He  had  not  gone  far  on 
his  return,  when  he  saw  an  old 
woman  stepping  cautiously  along  on 
the  slippery  path,  at  some  distance 


28  THE   BOY  FRIEND; 

before  him.  She  had  a  basket  on 
her  arm,  which,  though  evidently 
not  heavy,  made  it  more  difficult 
for  her  to  keep  her  balance.  The 
wooden  cane  that  she  carried  was 
but  a  poor  security  against  a  down 
fall  on  the  treacherous  ice  which 
everywhere  covered  the  ground.  At 
length,  after  executing  what  seemed 
for  the  moment  some  extraordinary 
dancing  steps,  she  fell,  while  basket 
and  stick  deserted  her,  and  she  lay 
helpless  on  the  ground. 

Charlie  was  at  her  side  in  a  mo 
ment;  but  it  was  in  vain  that  he 
tried  to  raise  her. 

"O  my!  I  am  done  for!  Dear! 
dear!"  she  exclaimed.  "Now  I  never! 
What  shall  I  doT 

"Do]  why  just  get  on  my  team 
here,"  said  a  cheerful  voice  at  her 
side. 


OR,   ALL  CAN   HELP.  29 

The  speaker,  a  rough-looking  coun 
tryman,  was  driving  a  wood-sled;  and 
with  a  loud  "  whoa"  to  his  horses,  he 
jumped  down,  and  began  to  suit  his 
actions  to  the  words.  "Never  fear, 
Katy  Brown;  you'll  do  well  enough. 
You  just  got  hoisted;  that  was  all. 
Here  now;  so!"  And  his  strong  arms 
placed  her  on  the  sled,  and  leaned 
her  against  a  meal-sack,  which  was 
now  all  the  load. 

"  My,  my !  Jack — what's  to  become 
of  my  basket]  What's  he  to  do  with 
out  his  clothes,  and  Sunday  coming. 
You  could  drive  round  by  Meedville, 
I  s'pose." 

"How  I  wish  I  could,  Katy,"  said 
the  same  hearty  voice;  "but  you 
know  I'm  not  my  own  master,  and 
farmer  "Watkins  don't  let  us  idle  our 
time." 

4 


30  THE   BOY  FRIEND; 

"No  more  he  don't,  true  enough!" 
said  Katy,  significantly.  "I  could 
lie  by,  to-morrow  bein'  Sunday ;  but 
what's  to  become  of  the  clothes'?" 

"Where  do  they  belong'?"  asked 
Charlie,  giving  a  look  at  the  great 
basket. 

"They're  his'n,  the  preacher's,  of 
course.  I  don't  wash  for  nobody  else," 
said  the  woman. 

"Mr.  Mayer,  do  you  mean'?"  asked 
Charlie,  brightening. 

"Yes,  child;  asking  questions  don't 
help,  though,"  said  the  old  woman, 
fretfully. 

"But  I  mean  to  do  more,"  said 
Charlie,  taking  up  the  basket;  "I'll 
take  them  home  for  you." 

"And  I'll  see  to  the  old  woman; 
so  here  goes;"  and  Jack  Tyler  raised 
his  whip,  as  if  to  warn  his  horses  to 
start. 


Charlie  turned  towards  Meedville  with  the  great 
basket  on  his  arm.    Page  31. 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  31 

"Stop,  stop!  Where  do  you 
live'?"  said  Charlie,  addressing  the 
woman. 

"That  aint  no  odds!"  was  the  short 
answer. 

"  The  first  red  house  in  among  the 
pines,  a  piece  along  this  road,"  said 
the  man.  "Shame,  Katy,  to  speak 
so  to  the  young  gentleman. — She'll 
want  looking  after,  likely  enough," 
he  added,  in  a  whisper,  not  meant  for 
Katy's  ear. 

"  I  aint  too  deaf  to  hear  that,"  said 
the  old  woman,  with  a  keen  look; 
but  it  was  plain  that  the  words  had 
escaped  her. 

Jack  Tyler  did  not  stay  for  any 
more  conversation.  He  went  his  way ; 
and  Charlie  turned  towards  Meed- 
ville,  with  the  great  basket  on  his 
arm. 


32  THE  BOY  FRIEND; 

Charlie  Clement  never  troubled 
himself  as  to  who  laughed  at  him. 
All  the  boys  in  the  village  might 
have  been  hooting  at  him  for  carry 
ing  a  washerwoman's  basket,  and  he 
would  not  have  cared.  He  was  not 
naturally  sensitive;  and,  moreover, 
when  he  was  sure  he  was  doing  av 
kind  action,  the  opinion  of  the  world 
was  of  little  consequence  to  him.  He 
stood  up,  therefore,  on  the  door-step 
of  Mr.  Mayer's  boarding-house,  on 
the  main  street,  not  noticing  the 
crowd  of  boys  who  were  coming 
down  the  sidewalk,  full  of  holiday 
fun.  A  shower  of  snowballs  first 
apprized  him  of  their  approach;  and 
cries  of  "How  much  do  you  ask  a 
dozen7?  Here  goes  the  washer-boy!" 
&c.,  sounded  in  his  ears. 


OR,   ALL  CAN  HELP.  33 

"  Six  shillings  a  dozen !  six  shil 
lings  a  dozen,  my  boys!"  sang  out 
Charlie,  in  a  merry  tone. 

A  face  was  seen  for  a  moment  at  a 
lower  window,  and  then  the  door  was 
thrown  open  wide,  and  Mr.  Mayer 
appeared. 

The  crowd  of  boys  dispersed  in  a 
moment,  and  Charlie  was  about  to 
give  up  his  basket,  when  Mr.  Mayer 
said,  quite  heartily,  "Come  in,  come 
in."  He  had  not  forgotten  the  bright, 
pleasant  face,  that  had  looked  so 
warmly  at  him  the  Monday  before. 

Charlie  did  step  in;  but  it  was 
only  to  explain  how  he  became  the 
bearer  of  the  basket,  and  to  say  that 
he  now  had  no  time  to  spare,  as  his 
aunt's  dinner  hour  had  arrived. 

"I  want  to  go  and  see  Katy,"  said 
4* 


34  THE   BOY  FRIEND; 

Mr.  Mayer,  thoughtfully.  "Do  you 
know  where  she  lives'?" 

"  I  could  find  it,  I  think.  I  mean 
to  go  there  this  afternoon,"  said 
Charlie,  promptly. 

"Then  we  will  go  together,  if  you 
like  it,"  said  Mr.  Mayer. 

"I  should  like  it  right  well,"  said 
Charlie. 

"At  three  o'clock,  then,  you  will 
call  for  me,"  said  Mr.  Mayer. 

"At  three  o'clock,  sir.  Good-bye, 
sir,"  was  Charlie's  reply. 


OR,  ALL  CAN   HELP.  35 


CHAPTER  IV. 

KATY     BROWN. 

THREE  o'clock  found  Charlie  Cle 
ment  punctually  at  Mr.  Mayer's 
door,  and  the  rector  was  there  to 
meet  him. 

"  I  have  often  wanted  to  go  to  see 
Katy,  but  she  never  seemed  to  like 
the  idea,"  said  the  rector,  as  they 
walked  along. 

"We  may  not  get  the  pleasantest 
welcome  in  the  world,"  said  Charlie, 
smiling,  "but  the  farmer's  man 
seemed  to  think  she  might  need 
help,  for  all  that." 

Charlie  had  often  been  with  his 
mother  to  the  homes  of  the  poor, 


36  THE   BOY  FRIEND; 

and  to  him  the  visit  seemed  quite  a 
common  occurrence.  With  Mr. 
Mayer,  the  case  was  different.  Dur 
ing  four  years  at  boarding-school,  he 
had  prepared  for  four  years  at  col 
lege  ;  three  more  he-  had  passed  at 
a  theological  seminary.  Motherless 
from  his  birth,  he  had  never  known 
the  sweet  joys  of  home,  or  the  inno 
cent  pleasures  of  society.  No  loving 
hand  had  led  him  to  the  haunts  of 
poverty,  and  taught  him  to  minister 
to  the  poor. 

Yet  God  had  chosen  Marshall 
Mayer  to  be  peculiarly  his  servant, 
and  the  messenger  of  his  mercy. 
The  studious  senior,  at  college,  had 
become  an  earnest  Christian;  and 
when  the  world  offered  him  a  sphere 
where  his  talents  might  make  for 
him  a  great  name,  he  had  chosen  the 


OR,  ALL  CAN   HELP.  37 

ministry  of  Christ  as  his  calling,  and 
given  up  every  object  in  life,  save 
that  of  serving  his  heavenly  Master. 

While  Mr.  Mayer  had  been  pro 
nounced  dry  in  the  pulpit,  and  shy 
and  unsociable  in  private  life,  his 
heart  had  been  burning  with  a  desire 
to  do  good.  He  had  not  been  silent 
in  his  closet.  Earnestly,  faithfully, 
he  had  prayed  to  be  made  a  fit  in 
strument  for  the"  heavenly  work,  and 
to  be  guided  in  the  path  of  useful 
ness.  Such  prayers  are  never  unan 
swered.  Marshall  Mayer  might  seem 
for  a  time  an  unprofitable  servant, 
yet  he  would  not  be  driven  out  of 
the  vineyard  in  shame  and  disgrace. 
He  had  to  overcome  the  effects  of 
a  life  of  seclusion,  and  a  natural  sen 
sitiveness,  that  was  his  constant 


38  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

scourge,  ere  he  could  be  a  useful 
pastor.  Would  he  succeed! 

Mr.  Mayer  found  it  a  real  pleasure 
to  be  walking  through  the  clear  cold 
air,  with  his  cheerful  companion  at 
his  side.  With  a  lad  like  Charlie, 
his  diffidence  was  not  in  his  way, 
and  conversation  flowed  naturally  on. 
They  had  passed  the  village,  and 
were  on  the  country  road,  when 
Charlie  asked, 

"Is  there  to  be  a  confirmation 
held  here  soon,  sir?' 

"  The  bishop  is  to  visit  us  in  Feb 
ruary,  but  I  do  not  know  whether 
there  will  be  any  persons  to  1ft  con 
firmed,"  said  the  rector,  with  a  pain 
ful  blush. 

"  I  hope  there  will  be  one,"  said 
Charlie,  and  he  took  Mr.  Mayer's 
hand  as  he  spoke. 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  39 

The  boy's  frank  face  was  full  of 
earnest  feeling  that  was  not  to  be 
mistaken. 

"  We  must  know  each  other  bet 
ter,"  said  Mr.  Mayer,  with  a  hearty 
grasp  of  the  hand  that  had  been 
placed  in  his.  "I  hope  that  you 
may  be  that  one,  and  be  ready  for 
the  holy  rite." 

These  few  confidential  words 
seemed  to  have  placed  Mr.  Mayer 
and  Charlie  upon  a  different  footing. 
The  shy  clergyman  found  himself 
talking  freely  to  the  boy  at  his  side, 
of  his  hopes  and  his  wishes,  his  pur 
poses  and  his  prayers. 

Charlie  felt  the  force  of  the  deep 
piety  that  seemed  to  well  up  from 
his  companion's  heart,  and  his  own 
resolution  to  devote  himself  to  his 


40  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

Master's  service  was  strengthened 
and  redoubled. 

Katy  Brown's  red  house  among 
the  pines  was  easily  found,  and  there, 
at  the  window,  sat  Katy  herself, 
knitting  away,  as  if  nothing  had 
happened. 

"We  will  go  in,  now  we  are  here," 
said  Mr.  Mayer,  who  having  screwed 
up  his  courage  to  the  visit,  was  not 
willing  to  give  it  up. 

Their  knock  was  answered  by  a 
cry  of  "Come  in,"  but  no  one  ap 
peared  at  the  door. 

The  visitors  obeyed,  and  found 
themselves  in  the  single  rooni:,  which 
was  Katy's  dwelling-place,  her  house 
truly;  for  it  had  a  roof  over  it,  and  a 
chimney  to  carry  up  the  smoke  from 
her  pipe  and  her  fire. 

The  pipe  Katy  now  laid  aside,  and 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  41 

through  her  horn  spectacles  she 
looked  up  inquiringly  at  the  visitors. 
The  glance  satisfied  her  as  to  who 
they  were,  and  she  hastened  to  say, 

"Were  not  the  clothes  right,  sir — 
Eh?"  and  she  gave  a  doubtful  look  at 
Charlie. 

"  All  right,  Katy,"  said  Mr.  Mayer, 
helping  himself  to  a  seat,  Charlie 
following  his  example.  "All  right; 
but  I  was  afraid  you  were  not  right 
yourself,  after  your  fall.  Are  you 
lame  yet?" 

"  No  more  than  I  always  am,"  said 
Katy  quickly.  "  Old  folks  don't  ex 
pect  to  be  spry." 

"  And  yet  you  take  this  long,  cold 
walk  every  week.    I  had  no  idea  you 
lived  so  far  from  the  village"   said 
Mr.  Mayer,  kindly. 
5 


42  THE  BOY    FRIEND; 

"How  should  you  know]  You 
never  were  here  before,"  said  Katy. 

"I  thought  you  did  not  care  to 
have  visitors,"  said  the  minister, 
truthfully. 

"No  more  I  didn't,"  said  Katy; 
"but  now  you  are  come,  put  up  your 
feet  to  the  fire  afore  '  you  start 
away." 

Mr.  Mayer  accepted  the  strangely 
offered  courtesy,  and  drew  his  chair 
nearer  to  the  wide  chimney-corner. 

"Are  you  not  lonely  here  some 
times,  Katy]"  he  said. 

"Like  enough,  I  am.  Buryin' 
children  aint  a  cheerful  business,  and 
I've  done  enough  of  it  in  my  day.  I 
shall  be  goin',  too,  soon,"  was  the 
muttered  reply. 

"Going  to  a  better  country,  I 
hope,  Katy,"  said  Mr.  Mayer  kindly. 


OR,   ALL   CAN    HELP.  43 

"No  such  a  thing!  I  aint  one  of 
the  good  ones,"  said  the  old  woman. 
"  I  never  was,  and  I'm  too  old  now. 
I  need  n't  expect  nothin'  better  than 
I  deserve." 

The  free,  full  forgiveness  that 
Christ  offers  to  sinners,  was  present 
to  the  young  minister's  mind.  On 
that  iie  built  his  own  hope,  and  he 
longed  to  bring  it  home  to  the  poor 
old  creature  before  him,  but  she 
would  not  give  him  time. 

"It  aint  no  use!"  she  broke  in 
upon  him,  as  his  lips  parted.  "It 
aint  no  use.  I've  worried  and  fretted 
all  along  of  the  years  that  is  gone. 
If  I  was  young  I'd  begin  again.  Take 
the  right  start,  boy,"  she  said,  turning 
suddenly  to  Charlie.  "  Take  a  right 
start.  Old  folks  can't  learn  new 
ways." 


44  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

"  I  want  to  start  right,"  said  Char 
lie,  earnestly. 

The  conversation  was  here  inter 
rupted  by  a  loud  double  knock,  fol 
lowed  by  the  immediate  sound  of 
Jack  Tyler's  heavy  step  on  the  floor. 

Jack  started  back  when  he  saw 
the  visitors,  but  concluded,  on  the 
whole,  to  do  his  errand.  With  a  side 
bow  to  Mr.  Mayer,  before  speaking, 
he  turned  to  Katy,  and  said,  "It's 
like  to  be  slippery  as  ever  in  the 
morning,  Katy;  I  shall  go  to  church 
in  the  old  sleigh,  and  will  take  you 
along.  Will  you  go?  eh,  Katy'?" 

"Like  enough!  like  enough,  Jack! 
But  here,  as  you're  in  the  way  of 
of  toting,  maybe  you'll  give  these 
folks  a  lift,"  and  she  looked  sig 
nificantly  at  her  visitors. 

It  seemed  that  Katy  was  tired  of 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  45 

her  company,  yet  she  was  half-pleased 
at  their  visit,  too. 

"If  you  can  ride  standin',  sir,  I'd 
be  glad  to  have  you  on  my  sled,"  said 
Jack,  with  a  bow  to  Mr.  Mayer,  that 
swept  round  far  enough  to  include 
Charlie  in  the  invitation. 

"  Thank  you,  thank  you,  we  won't 
refuse  such  an  offer,"  said  Mr.  Mayer. 
Then,  going  up  to  Katy,  he  shook 
her  withered  hand,  and  said,  in  a  low, 
earnest  voice,  "  Good-bye,  Katy ;  re 
member  it  is  never  too  late  to  begin 
a  new  life." 

The  old  woman  shook  her  head, 
but  made  no  answer. 

They  saw  her  wrinkled  face  at  the 
window,  watching  them  as  they 
mounted  the  sled,  and  Jack  said, 
"She's  glad  to  see  you,  for  all  she's 
so  queer.  The  poor  thing  leads  a 
5* 


46  THE   BOY   FRIEND: 

lonesome  life,  and  she  likes  to  see 
somebody  now  and  then,  if  it's  only 
to  say  a  cross  word  to." 

Jack  stood  up  firmly  on  his  sled, 
with  the  reins  in  one  hand  and  the 
whip  in  the  other,  but  Mr.  Mayer 
and  Charlie  had  to  hold  fast  to  the 
upright  poles  at  the  corners  of  the 
rude  vehicle,  to  keep  their  footing. 
Bump,  bump,  they  went  over  the 
rough  masses  of  frozen  snow,  and  for 
a  time  conversation  was  quite  impos 
sible.  Mr.  Mayer  had  food  enough 
for  thought.  He  was  dwelling  on  the 
sight  he  had  just  witnessed — an  aged 
human  being,  ready  to  sink  into  the 
grave,  without  hope,  without  one 
cheering  ray  to  lighten  the  dark 
valley. 

This  painful  subject  so  completely 
occupied  his  mind,  that  he  at  first  did 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  47 

not  even  notice  the  conversation  that 
arose  between  Charlie  and  the  young 
countryman.,  as  soon  as  they  were 
on  a  smoother  portion  of  the  road. 

Charlie  was  a  lover  of  out-of-door 
sports,  and  was  interested  in  all  Jack 
could  tell  him  of  the  fish  in  a  trout- 
ing  stream  a  mile  or  so  away,  or  of 
the  game  that  might  be  started  in 
the  very  woods  through  which  they 
were  driving. 

Then  followed  anecdotes  of  dogs, 
and  Charlie  grew  quite  animated  in 
speaking  of  a  former  pet  of  his,  who 
was  so  constantly  with  him  that  he 
had  to  be  locked  up  on  Sunday  morn 
ing  to  keep  him  from  following  his 
master  to  Sunday-school. 

"  Sunday-school!"  said  Jack  thought 
fully.  "I  always  wished  I'd  a  went 
when  I  was  a  boy." 


48  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

We  had  a  nice  Bible-class  at  home, 
where  there  were  two  or  three  fel 
lows  as  old  as  you,"  said  Charlie. 

Mr.  Mayer  had  heard  nothing 
while  the  talk  was  of  game  and  dogs, 
but  now  a  subject  was  touched  upon 
more  in  unison  with  his  own  thoughts, 
and  he  became  conscious  of  what  was 
going  on  around  him. 

"A  Bible-class,  did  you  say,  Char 
lie,"  and  at  the  moment  the  thought 
struck  the  minister,  that  such  an  un 
dertaking  might  be  an  instrument  for 
good  in  his  own  parish. 

"Yes,  a  Bible-class:  our  rector 
taught  it;  and  how  we  all  did  enjoy 
it!" 

Mr.  Mayer  was  silent  a  moment. 
"I  have  no  aptness  in  teaching.  I 
never  had  a  Sunday-school  class.  I 
am  afraid  it  would  be  a  failure,"  he 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  49 

thought.  Still,  conscience  whispered, 
"You  had  better  try.  God  can  give 
strength  for  anything  it  is  his  will 
that  we  should  do.  Here  seems  to 
be  an  opening.  Go  forward." 

"We  might  have  a  Bible-class 
here,"  said  Mr.  Mayer,  thoughtfully. 

"O,  I  should  like  it  so  much," 
said  Charlie,  heartily ;  "  and  you 
would  go,  wouldn't  you?"  he  added, 
turning  to  Jack. 

"I'd  be  a  poor  scholar  enough," 
said  Jack,  giving  a  doubtful  look  at 
the  minister. 

"  No  one  is  a  poor  scholar  who 
really  wants  to  learn,"  said  Mr. 
Mayer.  "  We  will  meet  at  my  study 
to-morrow  evening,  and  try  to  make 
a  beginning." 

"I'll  be  there,  never  fear,"  said 
Jack,  decidedly. 


50  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

At  this  moment  they  reached  a 
side  road,  which  turned  off  just  as 
the  scattered  houses  betokened  the 
entrance  to  Meedville. 

"  I  go  this  way,"  said  Jack,  turn 
ing  his  horses'  heads  towards  the 
corner,  and  bringing  them  to  a  full 
stop. 

"  Then  we  must  get  off,  and  thank 
you  for  helping  us  so  far  on  our 
way,"  said  Mr.  Mayer,  stepping  upon 
the  crisp  snow,  as  he  spoke. 

Away  drove  Jack,  whistling  as  he 
went,  while  Mr.  Mayer  and  Charlie 
walked  on,  side  by  side,  talking  of 
the  Bible-class,  until  they  reached 
the  minister's  door. 

A  bonnet  had  been  thrust  out  of 
that  same  door  every  five  minutes  for 
the  last  half-hour,  and  a  face  within 
it  had  looked  eagerly  up  the  street. 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  51 

The  last  look  seemed  to  have  been 
satisfactory,  as  it  descried  Mr.  Mayer 
approaching,  for  the  door  was  shut 
decidedly,  and  bonnet  and  wearer 
disappeared  to  the  portion  of  the 
house  where  strangers  were  inadmis 
sible. 

"It  is  almost  supper-time,  I  de 
clare,"  said  Mr.  Mayer,  looking  wist 
fully  at  Charlie;  "wont  you  stop  and 
take  a  cup  of  tea  with  me?" 

"  Not  to  night,  I  thank  you,  sir. 
Aunt  expects  to  have  some  company 
for  me  at  home,"  said  Charlie;  and 
with  an  affectionate  shake  of  the 
hand,  he  bade  the  rector  good-bye. 

Mr.  Mayer's  small  study  looked 
particularly  attractive  to  him  that 
evening.  Perhaps  it  was  because 
his  good  landlady,  Mrs.  Toombs,  had 
taken  the  opportunity  to  give  it  a 


52  THE   BOY  FRIEND; 

cleaning  during  his  absence;  per 
haps  it  was  because  he  was  cheered 
by  the  knowledge  that  at  last  one  of 
his  parishioners  was  turning  towards 
him  with  affectionate  confidence. 
Even  the  tea-table  seemed  to  him 
to  have  a  more  attractive  air  than 
usual,  though  Mrs.  Toombs  main 
tained  her  customary  silence.  Mrs. 
Toombs  about  her  domestic  duties, 
in  her  little  brown  hood,  and  stout 
apron,  seemed  quite  another  woman 
than  Mrs.  Toombs  at  the  head  of  her 
table.,  in  her  clean  white  cap,  and 
black  alpacca  dress;  so  entirely  dif 
ferent  a  person  that  she  did  not  seem 
to  dare  to  open  her  lips,  lest  she 
should  speak  out  of  character.  At 
any  rate,  something  always  kept  her 
silent  in  the  minister's  presence. 
He  might  as  well  have  taken  his 


OR,   ALL   CAN"   HELP.  53 

meals  alone,  for  all  the  social  element 
her  society  imparted;  but  she  was 
useful  in  her  way,  and  she  knew  it. 
She  filled  the  rector's  cup  with  tea 
before  he  perceived  it  was  out,  and 
kept  his  plate  supplied  with  such 
fare  as  the  table  afforded,  while  he 
went  on  eating  abstractedly,  and  lost 
in  his  own  thoughts. 

A  slight  rattling  at  the  tea-tray 
was  the  general  indication  that  supper 
was  over,  and  he  obeyed  this  hint  as 
regularly  as  he  did  the  bell  that 
announced  the  meal  in  a  state  of 
readiness. 

Mr.  Mayer  was  very,  very  busy  in 
his  study  that  evening.  Sermon  after 
sermon  he  glanced  at — none  would 
suit  him  for  the  morrow.  It  was 
late  before  he  saw  what  was  before 
him;  he  must  write,  he  must  prepare 
6 


54  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

a  message  that  would  reach  at  least 
one  heart  among  his  people;  and 
after  earnest  prayer  to  Him  who 
was  to  send  that  message,  Mr.  Mayer 
took  his  pen  in  hand. 

The  clock  ticked  not  for  him ;  not 
for  him  was  the  noise  of  the  passer 
by.  He  was  lost,  absorbed  in  the 
declaration  of  the  good  news  to  man 
kind — a  Saviour  dying  for  the  world, 
an  ascended  Lord  calling  all  the 
weary  unto  him. 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  55 


CHAPTER  V. 

POOR    FUN. 

AUGUSTA  BERRIDGE  was  in  the  par 
lour,  standing  before  the  mirror.  It 
was  plain  that  she  considered  herself 
in  full  dress,  in  the  sense  of  uncom 
monly  well-dressed,  and  was  alto 
gether  satisfied  on  that  account. 
Augusta  was  wearing,  for  the  first 
time,  a  skirt  that  swept  the  floor  as 
she  walked,  and  she  had  promenaded 
the  room  two  or  three  times,  looking 
over  her  shoulder  to  see  the  half  a 
quarter  of  a  yard  of  blue  silk  trail 
along  the  carpet.  Annie,  meanwhile, 
was  equally  occupied  in  endeavour 
ing  to  catch  glimpses  of  the  great 
bow  which  tied  her  new  sash. 


56  THE    BOY    FRIEND; 

They  both  started,  and  looked  a 
little  ashamed,  as  Charlie  came  in 
upon  them,  fresh  from  his  long  walk. 

"Why,  Charlie!  you  are  not 
dressed!"  said  Augusta,  in  surprise. 

"Am  I  late?'  said  Charlie,  look 
ing  at  his  watch  in  a  manly  way,  as 
if  he  had  worn  it  always,  (he  had 
had  it  a  month.)  "Half-past  five! 
I  did  not  think  it  was  so  late.  Moon 
light  and  twilight  coming  together, 
misled  me." 

It  did  not  take  Charlie  Clement 
long  to  make  his  toilet.  With  him 
it  was  a  simple  matter  of  business ;  to 
be  well  done,  of  course,  but  not  to 
receive  any  unnecessary  amount  of 
thought.  He  was  in  the  parlour 
before  the  first  violent  ring  at  the 
door  announced  that  one  of  the  guests 
had  arrived. 


OR,   ALL   CAN    HELP.  57 

The  new-comer,  Master  Harry  De- 
witt,  needed  no  one  to  introduce  him. 
It  was  plain  that  he  and  Augusta 
were  old  acquaintances,  and  Charlie 
he  had  already  seen  at  school. 

Harry  Dewitt  was  very  tall  for 
fourteen,  and  he  did  not  seem 
ashamed  of  his  height,  for  he  held  up 
his  head,  and  was  as  straight  as  a 
militia  colonel  on  parade. 

"  Where  were  you  this  afternoon 
that  you  did  not  go  skating  V9  said 
Harry,  taking  a  comfortable  chair, 
and  settling  himself  in  it. 

"  I  walked  into  the  country  with 
Mr.  Mayer,"  said  Charlie  frankly. 

"With  Mr.  Mayer!"  said  Harry, 
holding  up  both  hands.  "I  don't 
envy  you  the  job." 

"  That's  the  kind  of  business  that 
suits  Charlie,"  said  Augusta,  laugh- 
6* 


58  THE  BOY  FRIEND; 

ing.  "  He  pretends  to  be  very  much 
pleased  with  Mr.  Mayer." 

"  I  do  like  him  heartily,"  said 
Charlie,  warmly.  "  I  wish  I  could 
see  more  of  him." 

Harry  gave  a  low  whistle,,  and 
Augusta  shrugged  her  shoulders. 

The  boys  and  girls  now  came  in 
by  twos  and  threes,  until  all  the 
guests  had  arrived.  Thirteen  bright 
young  faces  were  gathered  round  the 
table,  all  full  of  life  and  merriment. 

Harry  Dewitt  wras  about  to  say 
what  he  considered  a  capital  thing, 
when  Augusta  gave  him  a  sudden 
nudge,  and  pointed  significantly  at 
Charlie. 

Charlie  was  standing  opposite  to 
his  aunt.  Mrs.  Berridge  waved  her 
hand,  and  there  was  a  moment  of 
silence. 


OR,   ALL   CAN    HELP.  59 

In  a  few  simple  words  Charlie 
returned  thanks  for  the  blessings 
showered  by  the  Divine  hand,  and 
then  he  took  his  seat  as  unembar 
rassed  as  if  he  had  but  spoken  to 
some  human  being  at  his  side. 
Charlie  had  so  long  been  accustomed 
to  saying  grace  at  his  mother's  table, 
that  it  seemed  to  him  a  kind  of  mat 
ter  of  course,  a  pleasant  part  of  the 
meal,  not  to  be  omitted.  Mrs.  Ber- 
ridge  had  been  enough  at  Mrs.  Cle 
ment's  to  be  aware  of  this  fact,  and 
now,  at  her  own  table,  she  was  glad 
to  see  carried  out  what  she  considered 
a  proper  usage,  an  excellent  form. 

Charlie  Clement  had  been  but  a 
single  week  at  Meedville,  yet  he  was 
beginning  to  have  his  influence  there. 
The  slightest  thread  casts  a  shadow, 
and  even  a  young  person  is  ever 


60  THE    BOY    FRIEND; 

doing  something  for  good  or  evil,  by 
his  example. 

A  bold,  determined,  upright  spirit 
like  Charlie's,  always  has  its  ad 
mirers  and  its  imitators.  The  best 
scholar  and  the  best  skater  in  the 
academy  must  wield  a  power  strong 
for  good  or  evil. 

This  short,  simple  prayer,  had  been 
for  Charlie  a  kind  of  public  profes 
sion,  telling  plainly  on  which  side  he 
stood.  Did  he  lose  the  respect  of  his 
companions  by  if?  There  were  two 
or  three  who  smiled  during  the  whole 
performance,  and  one  little  girl,  more 
silly  than  the  rest,  had  trouble  to 
suppress  a  senseless  giggle;  but  the 
effect  on  most  of  the  company  was  to 
make  them  feel  that  Charlie  Clement 
was  a  person  to  be  looked  up  to,  a 


OR,    ALL   CAN   HELP.  61 

person  who  knew  his  duty,  and 
dared  to  do  it. 

Augusta  Berridge  had  a  great 
store  of  games  at  her  command,  and 
was  herself  most  skilful  in  playing 
them  all.  There  was  no  lack  of  fun 
among  the  young  people,  and  Char 
lie  Clement's  cheerful,  natural  laugh, 
was  heard  again  and  again. 

At  length  a  new  game  was  pro 
posed.  One  of  the  company  was  to 
go  out,  and  return  personating  some 
character,  whom  the  rest  were  to 
guess,  from  the  representation. 

Harry  Dewitt  had  paraded  the 
room 

"With  head  erect,  you  fancy  how, 

Arms  locked  behind, 
As  if  to  balance  the  prone  brow, 
Oppressive  with  its  mind," 

until  all  had  shouted  "Napoleon!" 


62  THE    BOY    FRIEND; 

Charlie  Clement,  with  a  lantern 
in  his  hand,  had  peered  into  every 
face,  and  had  been  hailed  as  Dio 
genes  seeking  an  honest  man.  Aris- 
tides,  writing  his  own  name  on  a 
shield,  and  Anne  Boleyn  offering  her 
slender  neck  to  the  executioner, 
had  all  been  personated  and  recog 
nised. 

It  was  now  Augusta  Berridge's 
turn  to  go  out.  She  soon  returned, 
wearing  an  old  cloth  cloak,  that  hid 
even  the  much-admired  trailing  dress. 
A  tall  beaver  hat  was  on  her  head. 
She  had  but  to  walk  across  the  room, 
in  a  slow,  peculiar  gait,  when  cries 
of  "Mr,  Mayer!  Mr.  Mayer!"  were 
heard  from  all  sides  of  the  room;  but 
with  this  she  was  not  content,  but 
began,  in  a  voice  the  exact  counter- 


OR,   ALL   CAN    HELP.  63 

part  of  Mr.  Mayer's,  to  say,  "Dearly 
beloved  brethren — " 

"  Now  that  is  too  bad,  Augusta !" 
said  Charlie,  indignantly.  "Mr. 
Mayer  is  our  minister,  and  you  owe 
him  respect  on  that  account,  if  you 
do  not  like  him." 

Augusta  threw  down  the  cloak  and 
hat,  and  exclaimed,  "  I  don't  see  why 
I  may  not  have  a  little  fun  at  his 
expense,  if  he  is  a  minister!" 

The  king  of  a  country  revenges 
the  disrespect  offered  to  his  herald, 
and  a  minister  is  the  herald  of  the 
King  of  kings,  and  should  be  treated 
accordingly.  I  use  my  mother's 
words,"  said  Charlie  warmly.  "I 
think  you  owe  some  respect  to  the 
office,  Augusta,  whatever  you  may 
think  of  the  man!" 


64  THE    BOY    FRIEND; 

"What  is  all  this?"  said  Mrs.  Ber- 
ridge,  coming  in  at  the  moment. 

"  Only  Charlie  giving  us  a  ser 
mon,"  said  Augusta,  laughing. 

"  Go  on,  Charlie ;  I  should  like  to 
be  a  hearer,"  said  Mrs.  Berridge, 
taking  a  seat  on  the  sofa. 

"No!  No!  let  us  play  elements!" 
said  Annie,  who  was  impatient  to 
have  the  frolic  recommenced.  A 
sight  of  an  approaching  tray  called 
off  her  attention,  and  pyramids  of 
ice-cream  were  soon  the  objects  of 
general  interest. 

The  company  now  broke  up  into 
little   circles,    and    Charlie    had    an . 
opportunity  to  carry  out  a  plan  which 
he  had  in  his  mind  all  the  evening. 

"Augusta  was  too  hard  on  Mr. 
Mayer,"  said  Harry  Dewitt. 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  65 

"  Indeed  she  was,"  said  Joseph 
White,  the  oldest  boy  in  the  com 
pany. 

The  conversation  having  turned 
upon  the  clergyman,  after  speaking 
affectionately  of  him,  Charlie  men 
tioned  the  Bible-class,  and  actually 
obtained  a  promise  from  Harry  and 
Joseph,  at  least  to  try  it  for  the  first 
evening.  Not  that  Harry  and  Joseph 
had  the  slightest  desire  to  improve  in 
the  best  of  knowledge.  Their  Sun 
day  evenings  were  dull  at  home; 
this  would  be  an  excuse  for  going 
out,  and  "might  not,  after  all,  be 
so  bad,"  as  they  said  to  each  other 
on  their  way  home. 

The  Bible-class;  that  was  the  last 
thing  in  Charlie  Clement's  mind 
that  night:  not  the  frolic  of  the 


66  THE    BOY    FRIEND; 

evening,  not  angry  feelings  towards 
Augusta;  but  the  Bible-class,  a  new 
opportunity  of  improvement,  a  new 
Sunday  joy,  a  new  step  on  the  hea 
venly  road. 


OR,   ALL   CAN    HELP.  67 


CHAPTER  VI. 

GOOD    SEED. 

THE  Sunday  morning  service  was 
over,  and  the  people  of  Meedville 
were  scattering  away  to  their  homes. 
Mr.  Mayer  had  preached  on  the 
encouraging  words  of  our  Saviour, 
"  Whosoever  cometh  unto  me,  I  will 
in  no  wise  cast  out."  Simply,  ten 
derly,  earnestly,  this  blessed  promise 
had  been  urged  upon  the  attention 
of  the  hearers.  The  old,  burdened 
with  many  years  of  sin,  and  the 
child  just  beginning  to  struggle  with 
its  evil  heart,  were  called  upon  to 
accept  the  merciful  invitation  of 
Jesus,  and  trust  themselves  to  him. 
Annie  Berridge  had  soon  found 


68  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

out  that  cousin  Charlie  was  fond  of 
children,  and  was  never  better  pleased 
than  when  he  had  her  at  his  side, 
or  on  his  knee.  That  morning,  he 
had  passed  a  pleasant  hour  with  her, 
telling  her  Bible-stories,  and  when 
she  left  him,  full  of  thanks  for  his 
kindness,  he  had  won  from  her  a 
promise  to  "be  a  good  girl  at  church, 
and  try  to  listen  to  the  sermon." 

Annie  had  kept  her  promise,  and 
Mr.  Mayer's  faithful  words  had  for 
the  first  time  stirred  in  her  heart  a 
yearning  to  be  one  of  the  Saviour's 
little  ones,  a  wish  to  know  some 
thing  more  of  the  meek  and  lowly 
Jesus.  Augusta  had  not  thought  of 
listening  either  to  service  or  sermon. 
Though  bodily  present  during  the 
time  of  solemn  worship,  her  mind 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  69 

was  far  away,  dwelling  on  the  plans 
and  pleasures  of  the  week  to  come. 

A  habit  of  inattention  at  church! 
A  trifling  sin,  as  some  would  try  to 
think  it.  Is  it  a  trifling  sin  to  in 
sult  the  Most  High  in  his  own  sanc 
tuary]  Is  it  a  matter  of  no  conse 
quence  to  shut  the  ears  to  the  voice 
of  prayer,  and  turn  the  thoughts  from 
the  words  of  exhortation  that  might 
win  the  heart  to  better  things'?  One 
great  avenue  of  good,  one  great 
chance  of  improvement  is  taken 
away,  when  listless  inattention  be 
comes  a  habit  in  church. 

Augusta  was  in  her  usual  frivolous 
state  when  she  left  the  church  door, 
and  out  of  the  abundance  of  her 
heart  her  mouth  spoke. 

Annie  paid  but  little  attention, 
while  her  remarks  were  on  the  dress 
7* 


70  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

of  acquaintances  in  the  neighbouring 
pews,  but  when  she  began  to  speak 
of  Mr.  Mayer,  her  attention  was 
gained. 

"I  do  wish  Mr.  Mayer  would  go 
away,  and  somebody  more  interesting 
would  come.  My  bones  fairly  ached 
before  the  sermon  was  over.  I  don't 
believe  he  knows  what  he  is  talking 
about  himself." 

Thoughtless  words,  Augusta  would 
have  called  them,  wicked  words  they 
were.  Augusta  would  not  have  wil 
lingly  pained  her  little  sister's  body, 
even  by  the  scratch  of  a  pin,  yet  she 
was  now  doing  her  soul  a  fearful 
wrong.  Annie  looked  up  to  Augusta 
as  much  smarter  and  wiser  than  her 
self,  and  she  felt  ashamed  that  she 
had  been  moved  by  what  Augusta 
seemed  to  think  so  tiresome.  Her 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  71 

half-formed  resolutions  to  be  better 
were  checked,  the  tender  feeling  at 
her  heart  passed  away,  and  she  was 
ready  to  add  her  idle  words  to  those 
her  sister  was  uttering. 

Those  gossipping  talks  at  the 
church  door,  those  needless  criti 
cisms  on  the  sermon,  their  evil  work 
will  not  be  fully  known  until  the 
judgment-day.  If  you  cannot  leave 
God's  house  yourself  in  a  sober 
frame  of  mind,  have  pity  on  your 
neighbours,  and  do  not  drive  away 
their  good  thoughts  by  your  foolish 
conversation.  If  you  have  found  the 
sermon  dull  and  tiresome,  keep  back 
your  complaints  of  weariness;  the 
message  which  has  not  reached  you 
may  have  touched  a  tender  chord  in 
the  heart  of  your  companion.  Your 
disrespectful  remarks  on  your  minis- 


72  THE    BOY   FRIEND; 

ter  may  render  his  labours  useless 
just  when  they  were  taking  effect. 
"  But  when  they  have  heard,  Satan 
cometh  immediately,  arid  taketh  away 
the  word  that  was  sown  in  their 
hearts." 

This  "  snatching  away"  of  the  good 
seed  at  the  church  door  and  by  the 
way-side,  is  truly  Satan's  work. 
Who  would  wish  to  work  for  and 
with  the  Evil  One] 

This  was  not  Augusta  Berridge's 
desire  or  intention,  but  what  mis 
chief  may  they  not  do,  who  never 
utter  the  prayers,  "  Cleanse  thou  me 
from  secret  faults,"  "  Set  a  watch,  O 
Lord,  before  the  door  of  my  lips!" 

There  was  no  more  true  worship 
for  little  Annie  that  day,  and  when 
she  bade  Charlie  good-night,  he  saw 
that  the  tender,  better  look,  that  had 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  73 

stolen  over  at  church,  in  the  morn 
ing,  was  utterly  gone. 

Charlie  had  had  a  busy  day.  His 
Bible  had  been  almost  constantly  in 
his  hand.  He  had  his  usual  reading 
in  a  course  pointed  out  for  him  by 
mother,  and  then  there  was  the 
Bible-class  lesson,  he  wanted  to  be 
prepared  on  that. 

Mr.  Mayer  had  declared  it  his  in 
tention  to  make  the  "  Christ  of  the 
Old  Testament"  the  subject  of  his 
lessons,  and  Charlie  had  been  puz 
zling  over  the  books  of  Moses  to  find 
some  traces  of  the  promised  Saviour. 
For  prophecies  he  was  looking,  and 
he  was  quite  discouraged  at  meeting 
so  few  of  them. 

Charlie  was  very  familiar  with  the 
Scriptures,  and  he  had  perhaps  fan 
cied  that  he  should  astonish  Mr. 


74  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

Mayer  by  his  knowledge.  Charlie 
Clement  had  his  own  faults,  just 
those  that  naturally  rose  from  his 
energetic,  self-confident  nature. 

Mr.  Mayer  sat  in  his  little  study, 
with  two  candles  on  the  table  before 
him.  Mrs.  Toombs  had  made  up 
her  mind  that  some  new  plan  was  on 
foot,  and  when  Charlie  Clement  rang 
the  bell  at  seven  o'clock,  she  would 
by  no  means  permit  her  "hired  girl" 
to  go  to  the  door.  Indeed,  the  duty 
of  answering  the  bell,  Mrs.  Toombs 
generally  preferred  to  perform  herself. 
She  felt  herself  mistress  in  her  own 
castle,  and  so  bound  to  look  well  to 
the  out-posts. 

Four  times  the  bell  had  rung,  and 
the  four  lads  had  appeared,  and  then 
Mrs.  Toombs  was  left  to  quiet  and 
curiosity  for  the  rest  of  the  evening. 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  75 

Mr.  Mayer  had  spoken  in  the  pul 
pit  till  he  was  quite  accustomed  to  it, 
but  there  was  something  that  roused 
all  his  diffidence  at  the  idea  of  hav 
ing  young  faces  so  near  to  him. 
This  feeling  vanished,  however,  when 
Charlie  Clement  came  in,  with  his 
frank,  pleasant  manner,  counting  on 
the  three  members  of  the  Bible-class 
as  so  many  treasures,  in  which  he 
was  part  owner. 

Mr.  Mayer  had  never  felt  more 
solemn  in  his  life,  than  when  he 
knelt  down  with  the  four  boys  to  ask 
the  blessing  of  God  on  his  new  un 
dertaking.  When  he  closed  with 
the  Lord's  prayer,  Charlie  Clement 
joined  him,  and  the  minister's  heart 
thrilled  with  pleasure,  as  Jack  Tyler's 
deeper  tones  were  heard  in  the  well- 
known  petition.  It  is  hard  to  talk 


76  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

of  one's  mother  and  one's  home  to 
uninterested  hearers,  much  harder  it 
is  to  speak  of  Christ  and  heaven  to 
unresponsive  listeners.  It  was  cheer 
ing  to  Mr.  Mayer  to  hope  that  at 
least  half  of  his  little  class  were 
ready  to  hear  what  he  had  to  say. 

At  the  Garden  of  Eden  the  lesson 
began.  Mr.  Mayer  made  the  boys 
mark  all  the  description  of  its  beauty 
that  is  given,  and  then  turn  to  the 
description  of  that  second  garden  of 
bliss,  promised  in  the  Revelation  to 
the  followers  of  Jesus. 

How  were  Adam  and  Eve,  when 
driven  from  Paradise,  to  hope  to 
walk  by  the  river  of  the  Water  of 
Life,  and  eat  of  the  fruit  of  that  tree 
whose  leaves  are  for  the  healing  of 
the  nations'? 

The   promise   given   to   our    first 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  77 

parents  sprang  to  Charlie's  lips,  and 
Mr.  Mayer's  smile  told  him  he  was 
right : 

"The  seed  of  the  woman  should 
bruise  the  serpent's  head.  The  Son 
of  Man  should  triumph  over  the 
devil." 

That  Christ,  suffering  for  sinners,  • 
might  have  been  made  known  to 
Adam,  Charlie  had  never  thought; 
and  when  Mr.  Mayer  dwelt  upon 
Abel's  offering  of  a  lamb,  and  Adam 
and  Eve  knowing  their  son's  sacrifice 
to  be  a  sign  of  the  coming  Eedeemer, 
Charlie's  eye  brightened,  and  he  ex 
claimed, 

"  O  how  beautiful !  I  like  to  think 
of  that.  I  have  always  been  so  sorry 
for  Adam!" 

"We  all  try  an  experiment  some 
what   like   the    one   through  which 
8 


78  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

Adam  passed.  That  is,  we  find  out 
for  ourselves  that  we  cannot  stand 
temptation.  No  one  is  ready  to  give 
himself  up  wholly  to  Christ,  to  be 
redeemed  and  sanctified,  till  he  feels, 
like  Adam,  that  he  deserves  to  be 
driven  from  Paradise,  and  shut  out 
by  the  angel  with  the  flaming  sword," 
said  Mr.  Mayer. 

Jack's  eyes  were  fixed  on  the 
speaker,  but  Charlie's  were  cast 
down.  Had  he  ever  fully  realized 
that  he  was  utterly  unworthy  of  sal 
vation]  The  question  was  not  to 
leave  him  at  once,  it  was  to  abide  in 
his  heart,  demanding  a  fair  and  full 
answer. 

Mr.  Mayer  had  resolved  that  the 
Bible-class  should  have  but  a  short 
meeting.  The  hour  he  had  fixed 
upon  had  passed,  yet  no  one  looked 


OR,    ALL    CAN    HELP.  79 

pleased  when  the  rector's  Bible  was 
closed,  and  the  lesson  was  over. 
Even  Harry  and  Joseph  had  been  in 
tellectually  interested;  but  Jack  and 
Charlie  had  felt  their  souls  moved 
and  enlightened.  So  sweetly  rose 
the  hymn  that  closed  the  exercises, 
that  Mrs.  Toombs  stole  into  the  hall 
to  catch  its  sounds,  and  the  passers- 
by  owned  it  as  most  welcome  on  a 
Sabbath  evening. 


80  THE  BOY   FRIEND; 


CHAPTER  VII. 

HOMELESS. 

THREE  weeks  had  passed  pleasantly 
away  for  Mr.  Mayer.  He  was  get 
ting  better  acquainted  with  his  peo 
ple.  At  Katy  Brown's  cottage,  he 
was  a  frequent  visitor;  with  Jack 
Tyler  he  had  many  pleasant  talks  by 
the  way,  to  which  the  Saviour,  ap 
proving,  listened.  Charlie  Clement 
was  giving  his  minister  the  sunshine 
of  his  warm  affection,  and  more  than 
one  friendly  hand  was  reached  out  to 
the  rector  in  his  daily  walks. 

Saturday  night  had  come,  and  full 
of  thankfulness  Mr.  Mayer  had  gone 
to  rest.  His  sleep  was  not  to  be  un 
interrupted.  At  midnight  he  was 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  81 

— .  f 

roused  by  the  cry  of  fire,  and  by  the 
sudden  flashing  of  red  light  upon  his 
window.  Yes,  fire  in  all  its  terrors 
was  near  him.  Hastily  dressing  him 
self,  he  ran  to  the  scene  of  desolation 
and  distress.  Mrs.  Toombs'  house 
was  one  of  a  row  of  low  wooden 
buildings  that  were  crowded  together 
along  the  main  street  of  Meedville. 
The  most  remote  of  these  dwelling- 
houses  was  now  in  flames.  The  cry 
that  roused  the  rector  had  fallen  on 
the  ears  of  many  of  his  people,  and  a 
crowd  had  already  gathered,  a  help 
less  crowd,  without  an  engine  or  an 
adequate  supply  of  buckets. 

Some  effort  was  made  to  subdue 
the  flames,  but  the  pressing  immedi 
ate  necessity  seemed  to  be  to  save  the 
inhabitants  from  a  miserable  death, 
and  to  secure  some  of  their  property 
8* 


82  THE  BOY  FRIEND; 

before  it  was  too  late.  Mr.  Mayer 
was  foremost  among  those  who 
plunged,  amidst  fire  and  smoke  and 
falling  timbers,  to  seek  out  children 
and  aged  sleepers,  and  to  save  the 
little  all  of  the  sufferers. 

So  rapidly  the  fire  moved  on,  that 
Mrs.  Toombs'  house  was  in  danger 
before  the  fire  had  consumed  the 
building  where  it  originated.  Con 
fused  and  terrified,  the  poor  woman 
could  do  nothing  but  hold  fast  to  her 
silver  spoons  and  cry  out  for  help. 
Mr.  Mayer  calmly  lent  his  aid,  and 
saw  a  portion  of  her  furniture  re 
moved,  before  it  was  too  late.  The 
roof  fell  in  at  last  with  a  crash. 

Mr.  Mayer  had  few  earthly  trea 
sures,  yet  his  books  were  precious  to 
him.  In  his  eagerness  to  save  those 
who  were  in  danger,  and  to  help  the 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  83 

distressed  widow,  with  whom  he  had 
made  his  home,  he  had  forgotten 
them. 

Now  a  cheerful  voice  at  his  side 
exclaimed,  "Your  books  are  safe, 
Mr.  Mayer.  I  looked  after  them 
as  soon  as  I  saw  how  the  fire  was 
spreading.  They  are  all  at  our 
house." 

Charlie  Clement  enjoyed  that  mo 
ment,  and  the  "Thank  you!  thank 
you,  Charlie!"  that  followed. 

There  was  no  lack  of  homes  for 
the  houseless  that  night.  Beds  of 
straw  were  exchanged  for  beds  of 
down,  and  the  rich  made  the  poor 
welcome.  Mrs.  Toombs,  however, 
preferred  to  walk  a  mile  into  the 
country,  to  "stay  with  one  of  her 
well-wishers,"  she  said,  rather  than 
to  accept  Mrs.  Berridge's  invita- 


84  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

tion  to  follow  the  minister  to  her 
house. 

Sunday  morning  came:  the  bell 
announced  the  hour  of  the  accus 
tomed  service.  This  was  surely  no 
day  on  which  to  omit  the  voice  of 
prayer  and  thanksgiving.  Yet  Mr. 
Mayer  was  weak  and  weary;  his 
store  of  sermons  had  perished  in  the 
flames. 

"What  will  Mr.  Mayer  do'?  he 
will  break  down  certainly,"  said 
Augusta  Berridge  to  her  mother,  as 
she  took  her  seat  in  the  pew. 

Mrs.  Berridge  bowed  her  head, 
and  managed  to  say,  "We  shall  see," 
without  any  of  the  stir  of  a  whis 
pered  conversation. 

Never  had  Mr.  Mayer  so  wholly 
lost  himself  in  the  service.  The 
prayers  he  had  so  often  spoken,  came 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  85 

from  his  lips  like  the  free  breathings 
of  his  own  devotional  feelings.  Self 
was  forgotten  in  the  duty  of  the 
present  moment. 

The  time  for  the  sermon  came. 
While  others  had  been  sleeping  away 
the  fatigue  and  excitement  of  the 
fire,  Mr.  Mayer  had  been  deep  in 
meditation  and  earnest  in  prayer. 
He  could  have  stood  up  that  day 
before  assembled  nations,  and  opened 
his  mouth,  confident  that  it  would 
be  given  unto  him  what  to  say  in 
honour  of  his  Divine  Master. 

Augusta  Berridge  cast  her  eye 
round  the  congregation  as  Mr.  Mayer 
entered  the  pulpit.  Many  who  had 
been  wont  to  return  her  significant 
glances,  were  now  looking  towards 
the  clergyman,  as  if  they  were  ex- 


86  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

pecting  to  receive  a  message  which 
it  was  all-important  for  them  to 
hear.  Charlie  Clement's  eyes  were 
cast  down;  he  was  silently  pray 
ing  that  the  Spirit  of  God  might  so 
guide  and  direct  the  speaker,  that 
his  words  should  be  "words  spoken 
in  season,"  to  bring  much  joy  to 
many  hearts. 

Ah,  if  the  critical  hearers  would 
cease  to  be  on  the  watch  for  defects, 
and  pray  for  him  who  is  about  to 
address  them,  then,  indeed,  might 
the  preached  word  of  God  become  a 
mighty  engine  for  good. 

Calmly  Mr.  Mayer  gave  out  his 
text — uThe  Son  of  Man  had  not 
where  to  lay  his  head."  The  beg 
gared  and  houseless  were  gathered  in 
the  church  that  day,  with  those  who 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  87 

had  tenderly  felt  for  neighbours, 
thrust  from  their  homes,  and  fami 
lies  suddenly  left  destitute. 

The  Saviour,  a  pilgrim  without  a 
refuge,  was  brought  before  them,  and 
every  eye  was  fixed,  every  ear  was 
ready  to  listen. 

Jesus,  the  King  of  heaven,  seemed 
once  more  among  them,  sympathizing 
with  the  distressed,  and  cheering  his 
true  children  to  acts  of  kindness. 
Jesus,  the  ascended  Lord,  was  call 
ing  on  the  homeless  of  earth  to  share 
his  home  in  the  skies,  to  ensure  a 
place  in  the  heavenly  mansions, 
where  sorrow  cannot  come. 

Never  had  divine  truth  been  so 
preached  from  that  pulpit;  never 
had  those  hearers  so  welcomed  the 
good  seed  in  honest  hearts.  There 


88  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

was  no  gossip  at  the  church  door 
that  day.  Satan  snatched  away 
no  good  seed  by  idle  chat  by  the 
wayside. 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  89 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

A    FALL. 

CHRISTMAS  had  showered  its  gifts  in 
the  lap  of  childhood,  and  breathed 
its  whispers  of  sacred  comfort  to  the 
more  way-worn  pilgrims  of  earth. 
The  New  Year  had  opened  with  its 
halo  of  hope,  and  its  rainbow  of  good 
resolutions. 

Two  months  had  passed  since 
Charlie  Clement  left  his  home  on  a 
Southern  plantation,  and  came  to  the 
North  to  carry  on  the  education  that 
had  been  so  thoroughly  and  wisely 
commenced. 

His  mother's  kind,  judicious  influ 
ence  no  longer  surrounded  him  like 
a  protecting  mantle.  The  freedom 
9 


90  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

from  the  faults  of  most  boys  of  his 
age,  which  he  had  fancied  to  be  the 
result  of  his  own  better  balanced 
character,  or  the  natural  offspring  of 
his  principles,  was  to  be  sorely  tested. 
The  manliness  which  had  been 
most  attractive  when  it  had  developed 
in  a  son,  guarding  and  sustaining  a 
widowed  mother,  became  less  agree 
able  in  the  boy,  left  his  own  master, 
and  ungoverned  even  by  a  soft  ma 
ternal  hand. 

The  idea  of  his  own  power  and 
strength  to  do  all,  and  know  all, 
daily  increased  in  Charlie.  Augusta 
made  sport  of  him,  and  called  him 
"Mr.  Pomperosity,"  and  Annie  looked 
up  to  him  as  the  wonder  he  seemed 
to  think  himself;  but  Mr.  Mayer  saw 
with  deep  pain  the  change  that  was 
coming  over  his  dear  young  com- 


OR,    ALL   CAN  HELP.  91 

panion.  His  gentle  warning  seemed 
to  have  no  effect,  yet  he  did  not 
despair.  His  quiet  influence  might 
yet  do  something,  and  that  he 
brought  to  bear,  by  being  much  in 
tha  society  of  the  youthful  parishion 
er,  who  was  so  dear  to  him.  Mr. 
Mayer  really  believed  that  Charlie 
was  a  true  child  of  God,  and  would 
not  be  suffered  to  fall  a  prey  to  the 
temptations  of  one  great  fault.  For 
him  he  prayed  most  fervently,  yet 
trembled  while  he  prayed,  lest  only 
the  severest  discipline  should  bring 
back  the  wanderer  to  the  humility  of 
a  follower  of  Jesus. 

The  time  for  the  confirmation  was 
approaching,  yet  Charlie  was  not 
very  regular  at  the  services  the  rec 
tor  had  appointed  as  a  preparation 
for  that  rite ;  he  seemed  to  think  his 


92  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

preparation  so  thorough,  that  he 
needed  no  added  word  of  counsel,  no 
closer  self-examination. 

A  bright  Saturday,  early  in  Feb 
ruary,  had  come.  The  snow  made 
white  the  country  far  and  wide,  and 
the  merry  sleigh-bells  sounded  out 
through  the  streets  of  Meedville,  and 
over  the  glittering  meadows. 

Light  "cutters"  and  fast  horses 
were  in  requisition  that  day,  and 
Charlie  Clement  had  determined  to 
have  a  ride.  Early  in  the  morning 
he  engaged  an  establishment  to  his 
taste,  and  at  two  o'clock  he  appeared 
at  Mrs.  Berridge's  door,  as  full  of 
merriment  as  if  life  was  all  careless 
boyhood. 

Augusta  soon  came  out,  all  wrap 
ped  in  furs,  and  full  of  smiles.  Char 
lie  was  just  handing  her  into  the 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  93 

sleigh,  in  his  best  style,  when  Mrs. 
Berridge's  face  appeared  at  the  par 
lour  window.  The  sash  was  thrown 
up  in  a  moment,  and  the  mother  ex 
claimed, 

"Charlie,  Charlie!  stop!  You  are 
not  going  to  drive  Black  Fury]" 

"Why  not?  I  am  used  to  horses. 
Never  fear,  aunt,  I  know  what  I  am 
about." 

"But  Augusta!  I  don't  dare  to 
trust  you,"  began  Mrs.  Berridge. 
Charlie  was  by  this  time  in  his  seat, 
and  in  another  moment  the  spirited 
horse  was  moving  down  the  street  at 
full  speed. 

Mrs.  Berridge  cast  a  long,  anxious 
glance  after  the  little  party,  and  did 
not  move  from  the  window  until  the 
sound  of  the  bells  died  upon  the  ear. 

The  keen  air  and  the  rapid  motion 
9* 


94  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

were  exhilarating,  and  Charlie  urged 
on  his  horse  at  headlong  speed.  He 
had  entered  one  of  the  lanes  near 
Meedville,  when  bells  were  heard 
ringing  loudly  behind  them. 

Augusta  turned  her  head,  and  ex 
claimed, 

"It   is  Harry  Dewitt!    Don't  let 
him  pass  us!" 

There  was  no  danger  of  any  one's 
passing  Black  Fury  when  he  was 
excited  by  the  sound  of  horses'  feet 
behind  him.  On  he  sped,  as  if  un 
conscious  of  the  light  vehicle  attach 
ed  to  him,  while  Charlie  vainly  en 
deavoured  to  rein  him  in. 
»  They  were  now  beyond  the  beaten 
road,  and  Charlie  knew  not  which 
way  to  steer  among  the  snowdrifts 
and  gulleys  which  extended  from 
fence  to  fence. 


OR,    ALL   CAN   HELP.  95 

Black  Fury  plunged  madly  on,  the 
sleigh  was  but  a  plaything  to  the 
strong  horse  in  his  excitement.  He 
stopped  not  even  when  it  was  turned 
on  one  side,  and  Augusta  found  her 
self  lodged  in  a  bed  of  snow.  It 
would  have  been  happy  for  Charlie 
if  he  had  found  as  soft  a  resting- 
place.  His  arm  caught  in  the  reins 
as  the  sleigh  went  over,  and  with  it 
he  was  dragged  along,  now  dashed 
against  the  runners,  now  whirling 
through  the  snow,  furrowing  it  as  he 
passed.  The  reins  broke  at  last,  and 
Charlie  was  left  senseless  by  the 
road-side. 

Harry  Dewitt  had  taken  Augusta 
into  his  sleigh  with  some  pride;  he 
was  not  unwilling  to  have  a  little  tri 
umph  over  Charlie,  who  was  particu 
larly  proud  of  his  skill  as  a  "whip." 


96  THE   BOY  FRIEND; 

Harry  had  no  idea  of  following  the 
mad  course  of  Black  Fury.  "  I  ought 
not  to  risk  Miss  Augusta's  life,"  he 
said  to  himself;  but  not  without  a 
feeling  of  shame,  he  turned  his 
horse's  head  towards  Meedville. 

Charlie  was  not  to  lack  a  friend  in 
his  extremity.  Jack  Tyler  had  been 
out  with  his  wood-sled,  and  had  just 
turned  a  corner  which  led  to  the 
lane,  when  the  maddened  •  horse, 
which  Charlie  had  driven,  dashed 
past  him.  Jack  did  not  stop  to  pur 
sue  the  horse,  for  he  felt  sure  that  he 
was  needed  in  the  contrary  direction. 
On  he  went,  plodding  as  fast  as  he 
could  through  the  deep  snow,  leaving 
his  trusty  horses  to  follow  him  at 
their  own  gait. 

Charlie  did  not  know  whose  strong 
arms  were  folded  tenderly  around 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  97 

him.  He  did  not  see  the  honest  face 
that  was  wet  with  tears  as  it  bent 
over  him.  He  could  not  know  that 
eager  observers  appeared  at  the  win 
dows,  as  he  was  carried  through 
Meedville,  as  helpless  a  burden  as 
the  wood  upon  which  he  was  laid. 
Very  different  were  his  feelings  when 
upon  that  humble  sled,  from  those  at 
his  departure,  so  full  of  pride  and 

joy- 
Charlie  Clement  was  restored  to 
consciousness,  to  find  himself  the 
tenant  of  a  body  racked  with  pain, 
and  stiffened  in  every  limb.  He 
knew  his  aunt  was  not  fond  of  nurs 
ing;  he  knew  it  cost  her  stout  figure 
an  exertion  to  be  moving  continu 
ally;  yet  he  had  to  see  her  waiting 
upon  him,  and  to  know  that  it  was 
his  own  folly  that  had  made  him 


98  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

helpless  as  an  infant.  Even  the 
keeper  of  the  livery-stable  had  warned 
him  against  the  horse  he  had  chosen 
to  drive,  yet  he  had  been  willing 
presumptuously  to  risk  his  own  life, 
and  that  of  another.  But  he  had 
been  spared.  O  that  thought !  Char 
lie  dwelt  on  it  with  deep  gratitude, 
but  gratitude  mingled  with  bitter  re 
pentance.  In  the  silence  of  his  sick 
room  a  phantom  seemed  to  rise  be 
fore  him,  a  phantom  from  which  he 
would  gladly  have  turned  his  eyes. 
He  saw  himself,  full  of  presumption 
and  self-importance,  and  he  was  sick 
at  heart.  Where  was  the  modesty 
that  is  becoming  in  youth  1  Where 
was  the  humility,  without  which 
piety  must  become  an  empty  name  I 
Charlie  Clement  saw  himself,  and 
he  was  humbled  in  dust  and  ashes; 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  99 

but,  blessed  be  God,  when  our  eyes 
are  opened  to  behold  our  own  sinful- 
ness,  He  pours  into  them  the  light  of 
the  Sun  of  Righteousness,  and  com 
forts  with  this  vision  of  mercy  and 
redeeming  love. 

Now  came  the  faithful  words  of 
a  friend.  Mr.  Mayer  did  not  say, 
"Peace!  peace!"  until  he  was  sure 
that  the  arrow  of  heaven  had  pierced 
even  to  the  depths  of  the  soul.  He 
brought  home  the  rebuke  that  was 
needed,  before  he  poured  in  the  oil 
of  consolation. 

Charlie  Clement  had  learned  this 
lesson;  —  No  religious  habits,  no 
faithful  training,  can  keep  the  young 
Christian  from  sin.  He  falls  when 
exposed  to  temptation,  unless  watch 
ing  unto  prayer,  and  upheld  by  the 
power  that  sitteth  in  the  heavens. 


100  THE   BOY  FRIEND; 

Charlie's  fall  might  seem  little  to 
lookers  on,  but  he  knew  himself  how 
far  he  had  wandered  from  the  true 
spirit  of  a  follower  of  Christ.  Hum 
ble  as  a  little  child  he  lay  in  his  sick 
room,  while  others  were  to  enjoy  the 
privilege  of  openly  professing  them 
selves  servants  of  the  "meek  and 
lowly  Jesus." 


OR,  ALL  CAN  HELP.  101 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE     CONFIRMATION. 

THE  church  at  Meedville  was  crowd 
ed.  Many  had  come  merely  as  spec 
tators  to  the  confirmation  service; 
many  more  as  devout  worshippers. 
The  bishop  stood  in  the  chancel. 
The  persons  to  be  confirmed  were 
called  on  to  come  forward.  A  sun 
burnt  youth,  whose  broad  shoulders 
proved  him  familiar  with  toil,  walked 
slowly  up  the  aisle.  No  faltering 
thought,  no  fear  of  man,  slackened 
his  usual  bold,  firm  tread.  He 
moved  gently,  to  keep  pace  with  the 
aged  woman  who  leaned  on  his  arm. 
Poor,  and  coarsely  clad,  was  Katy 
10 


102  THE  BOY  FRIEND; 

Brown.  There  was  no  charm  in  her 
dark  and  wrinkled  features,  yet  at 
her  Mr.  Mayer  looked  tenderly  and 
anxiously,  as  she  drew  near  the 
chancel.  In  that  worn  and  weary 
body  was  an  immortal  soul,  a  soul 
that  had  been  brought  into  the  ful 
ness  of  the  gospel  light.  Yes,  that 
aged  woman  was  the  first  fruits  of 
Marshall  Mayer's  ministry,  and  he 
rejoiced  over  her  with  great  joy. 
Jack,  he  had  guided  and  directed,  but 
to  Katy,  it  had  been  his  blessed  pri 
vilege  to  declare  the  truth,  as  it  is  in 
Jesus. 

Who  can  describe  the  devout  in 
terest  of  the  faithful  pastor  as  he 
heard  the  words,  "Defend,  O  Lord, 
this  thy  servant,  with  thy  heavenly 
grace,  that  she  may  continue  thine 
for  ever,  and  daily  increase  in  thy 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  103 

Holy  Spirit  more  and  more,  until  she 
come  unto  thine  everlasting  king 
dom." 

For  Jack  there  might  yet  be  a 
hard  struggle,  a  battle  "unto  blood" 
with  temptation;  but  the  old  pilgrim 
was  near  her  journey's  end.  .  She 
had  but  the  dark  valley  to  pass,  and 
she  would  enter  into  the  rew'ard  pur 
chased  for  the  penitent  by  the  blood 
of  Jesus. 

O,  the  riches  of  the  mercy  of 
Christ!  Who  would  not  enlist  under 
this  Captain  of  our  salvation'?  Who 
would  not  labour  in  the  vineyard  of 
such  a  Lord? 


104  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 


CHAPTER  X. 

ANNIE'S     WORK. 

"!T  is  almost  worth  while  to  have 
been  shut  up  so  long,  to  be  so  glad  to 
be  with  you  all  again,"  said  Charlie 
Clement,  with  one  of  his  old  bright 
smiles. 

The  family  circle  upon  which 
Charlie  looked  was  indeed  a  cheerful 
one.  Gathered  about  the  centre- 
table  sat  Mrs.  Berridge,  Augusta, 
and  Annie,  each  as  busy  as  if  con 
vinced  that  industry  was  the  secret 
of  happiness.  Mrs.  Berridge  was 
knitting  an  Afghan,  and  the  portion 
of  her  completed  work  lay  across  her 
lap,  its  gay  stripes  seeming  the 
brighter  for  the  brilliant  gas-light 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  105 

that  fell  upon  them.  Mrs.  Berridge 
was  just  one  of  those  ladies  who 
seemed  most  in  her  place  when  sit 
ting  in  her  own  parlour,  occupied 
about  some  pretty  work.  There  was 
a  quiet,  settled  look  in  her  stout 
figure,  and  a  sort  of  .repose  in  her 
face,  that  made  one  feel  rested  to  look 
at  her. 

Augusta,  on  the  contrary,  was  all 
animation;  when  her  mouth  opened, 
her  black  eyes  sparkled,  and  her  slen 
der  note  seemed  to  grow  sharper,  and 
do  its  part  towards  the  vivacious  ex 
pression  of  her  face.  Augusta  was 
drawing,  and  she  handled  her  pencil 
with  a  skill  that  made  it  a  pleasure 
to  watch  her. 

Charlie  took  up  the  spirited  head 
of  Apollo,  which  she  was  just  finish 
ing,  and  gave  it  the  glance  of  a  con- 
10* 


106  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

noisseur.  He  was  about  to  hazard 
some  criticisms,  and  to  make  some 
mythological  allusions,  that  were 
more  calculated  to  show  his  own 
powers,  than  to  please  the  hearers, 
when  there  was  a  whisper  at  his 
heart  that  checked  him.  With  a 
well-deserved  'compliment  on  the 
execution,  he  handed  it  back  to 
Augusta,  who  took  it  with  a  laugh, 
and  said, 

"I  think  Mr.  Pomperosity  died  in 
your  sick  room.  Do  you  think  that 
one  of  the  Siamese  twins  will  be  able 
to  live  without  the  other.  Eh, 
Charlie  1" 

"I  hope  so,"  said  Charlie,  soberly. 

"You  ought  not  to  call  Charlie 
names,"  said  Annie,  looking  protec 
tively  at  her  cousin. 

"  You  need  not  stand  to  your  arms 


CR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  107 

on  all  occasions,  Annie,  when  Char 
lie  is  spoken  to,"  said  Augusta,  not 
very  pleasantly. 

"Annie  and  I  are  fast  friends," 
said  Charlie,  with  a  fond  look  at  his 
little  cousin.  "Come,  Annie,  let  me 
see  your  work]" 

Annie  thrust  her  hands  under  the 
table.  Her  work  was  not  truly  such 
as  would  please  an  artist's  eye.  She 
was  embroidering  on  a  piece  of  brown 
broadcloth  such  flowers  as  no  botan 
ist  could  have  recognised;  even  the 
leaves  were  of  angular  forms,  which 
might  be  sought  for  in  vain  in  na 
ture. 

Annie  was  a  fat,  comfortable,  ten 
der-hearted  little  girl  of  ten,  but  by 
no  means  sensitive.  Charlie  could 
not  account  for  the  sudden  bashful- 
ness  that  had  overtaken  her. 


108  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

At  Charlie's  urgent  request  she 
exhibited  her  work,  and  reluctantly 
owned  that  she  was  making  a  watch- 
case. 

"A  watch-case!"  said  Augusta, 
with  a  laugh,  "I  thought  it  was  a 
bag  for  some  baby's  silver  porringer, 
or,  perhaps,  a  sacred  retreat  for  some 
worthy  potato,  to  which  a  small  spe 
cimen  of  the  same  kind  had  grown 
fast.  Who  is  it  for,  pray?' 

"  Let  me  see  if  it  will  fit,"  said 
Charlie,  taking  out  his  watch,  and 
slipping  it  into  the  case. 

"  The  watch  is  like  truth,  hid  in  a 
well,"  said  Augusta.  "It  can't  be 
for  you,  Charlie,  so  draw  your  watch 
up  from  the  depths." 

"Don't  say  any  more  about  it, 
Charlie,"  whispered  Annie,  beseech 
ingly,  ft  i 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  109 

"  Who  will  go  and  get  my  books 
for  me]"  said  Charlie.  "I  am  in  a 
studying  mood." 

Annie  hastened  to  oblige  her  cou 
sin,  while  Augusta  laughingly  said, 

"I  wonder  Mrs.  Toombs  allows 
Mr.  Mayer  to  come  here  to  hear  you 
recite.  I  don't  think  she  has  ever 
forgiven  us  for  keeping  him  that 
whole  fortnight  after  the  fire.  She 
is  a  queer  being.  I  wonder  what 
such  people  were  made  for]" 

"  Made  to  do  some  particular  good 
work,  no  doubt,"  said  Charlie.  "  But 
here  comes  my  books,  and  I  must 
go  to  studying  in  earnest." 

Charlie  had  never  studied  so  faith 
fully  as  since  Mr.  Mayer  had  kindly 
offered  to  act  as  his  tutor  until  he 
should  be  able  to  reappear  at  the 
academy.  Charlie's  perfect  recita- 


110  THE  BOY   FRIEND; 

tions  left  time  enough  during  the 
appointed  hour  for  much  that  was 
interesting  in  the  way  of  explan 
ations.  Often  the  hour  closed  with 
a  pleasant,  profitable  talk  between 
the  minister  and  his  young  parish 
ioner,  which  was  to  have  its  impres 
sion  when  the  things  of  this  world 
have  passed  away. 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  Ill 


CHAPTER  XL 

ANNIE'S     VISIT. 

THE  fire  which  had  burned  Mr. 
Mayer's  sermons,  and  left  him  with 
out  a  home,  had  been  by  no  means 
an  enemy.  The  sermons  that  he 
had  laboured  over  at  the  seminary, 
or  wrought  out  in  his  study  since  his 
arrival  at  Meedville,  had  been  profit 
able  to  his  mind,  by  way  of  discip 
line,  but  with  them  his  heart  had 
had  little  to  do.  They  were  fit  for 
the  fire;  like  a  boy's  old  latin  exer 
cises,  they  had  fulfilled  their  end, 
and  were  to  be  cast  aside  for  better 
things. 


112  THE  BOY  FRIEND; 

Mr.  Mayer  now  knew  his  people. 
He  loved  them,  he  felt  for  their 
wants,  and  to  them  he  spoke,  when 
he  entered  the  pulpit,  for  them  he 
wrote  in  his  study.  They  knew  that 
they  were  directly  addressed  by  a 
friend  who  had  their  best  interest  at 
heart,  and  they  listened,  and  took 
home  his  earnest  appeals  and  faithful 
counsel. 

Members  of  the  parish  who  had 
thought  little  of  their  minister  or 
his  home,  had  their  sympathies  called 
out  towards  him,  when  his  wardrobe 
was  burnt,  his  study  furniture  de 
stroyed,  and  he  was  forced  to  accept 
the  kind  invitation  of  Mrs.  Berridge 
to  make  her  house  his  home. 

Mrs.  Toombs  soon  found  a  house 
placed  at  her  disposal,  at  an  uncom 
monly  low  rent,  and  found  other 


OR,   ALL  CAN  HELP.  113 

hands  than  hers  interested  in  pro 
viding  for  the  rector's  comfort. 

No  one  acknowledged  who  had 
placed  the  new  suits  in  his  bedroom 
closet.  No  one  claimed  the  credit  of 
new  furnishing  the  study.  Stout 
farmers  and  country  shopkeepers  who 
had  given  themselves  no  concern 
about  their  minister  when  he  seemed 
comfortable,  had  found  pleasure  in 
relieving  him  in  his  unexpected  diffi 
culties.  They  knew  what  they  had 
done,  and  they  felt  an  added  interest 
in  one  for  whom  they  were  able  to 
do  something. 

And  Mrs.  Berridge,  had  she  no 
part  in  this  work  •  of  love  I  Appa- 
rantly  none;  yet  Mr.  Mayer  re 
ceived  through  the  post-office  a  blank 
envelope  containing  a  fifty  dollar 
11 


114  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

note ;  from  whom  else  could  it  have 
cornel 

These  nameless  kindnesses  made 
Mr.  Mayer  feel  that  he  was  among 
friends,  and  his  stiffness  gave  way  to 
a  frank  and  kindly  manner  that 
strengthened  the  pleasant  relations 
growing  up  between  him  and  his 
people. 

Mr.  Mayer  was  sitting  in  his  study 
one  morning  in  April.  There  was  a 
timid  ring  at  the  door.  Mrs.  Toombs 
was  at  her  post  in  a  moment;  mo 
tioning  back  the  "hired  girl,"  who 
was  peeping  after  her,  round  the 
corner  of  the  entry,  the  little  wo 
man  opened  the  door.  There  stood 
Annie  Berridge,  looking  by  no 
means  as  calm  and  comfortable  as 
usual. 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  115 

"Is  Mr.  Mayer  at  home]"  asked 
the  little  girl. 

"Yes.  What  shall  I  tell  him?" 
said  Mrs.  Toombs,  standing  in  front 
of  Annie. 

Annie  fumbled  nervously  at  a  lit 
tle  parcel  in  her  hand,  and  then  re 
peated  her  question, 

"  Is  Mr.  Mayer  at  home?" 

Mrs.  Toombs  was  suspicious  of 
any  intercourse  between  her  lodger 
and  Mrs.  Berridge's  family.  She 
seemed  to  have  conceived  a  vague 
notion  that  there  was  a  plan  to  decoy 
him  away,  which  it  was  her  duty  to 
check  in  the  bud.  She  now  looked 
at  the  parcel  most  significantly,  and 
said, 

"Shall  I  give  it  to  him?" 

Annie   was   about   to   render  up. 


116  THE   BOY  FRIEND; 

helplessly,   her   treasure,   when  .Mr. 
Mayer  himself  appeared. 

It  would  have  been  a  great  disap 
pointment  to  Annie  to  go  away  with 
out  an  interview,  and  her  face  grew 
proportionably  bright  at  the  sight  of 
the  rector's  face. 

"Come  in,  Annie,  how  do  you  do 
this  morning'?"  he  said,  kindly  taking 
her  hand.  The  air  was  chilly,  and 
there  was  a  cheerful  wood  fire  on 
the  study-hearth.  "Come  and  warm 
your  fingers,"  said  Mr.  Mayer,  draw 
ing  Annie  towards  the  bright  flame. 

Mrs.  Toombs  fidgetted  uneasily, 
but  retreated  down  the  hall,  at  length, 
without  even  speaking  to  the  "hired 
girl,"  who  was  still  at  her  post  of 
observation. 

It  seemed  to  take  Annie  a  great 
while  to  warm  her  hands.  She  held 


1 1  made  this  for  your  watch/'     Page  117. 


OR,    ALL   CAN    HELP.  117 

them  up  before  the  fire  long  after 
they  were  perfectly  comfortable.  The 
package  had  been  hastily  thrust  into 
her  pocket.  She  had  given  a  most 
minute  and  satisfactory  account  of 
the  health  of  all  the  family,  before 
she  could  make  up  her  mind  to  begin 
the  ceremony  of  presentation.  As  to 
this  same  ceremony,  she  had  given 
herself  much  thought,  and  had  plan 
ned  exactly  what  she  would  say; 
now,  however,  her  most  suitable  re 
marks  had  forsaken  her,  and  she 
could  only  stammer  out, 

"I  made  this  for  your  watch,  and 
so  I  came  to  bring  it." 

Mr.  Mayer  unfolded  the  little  par 
cel,  and  took  out  the  result  of  An 
nie's  labours.  Such  a  watch-case  had 
not  often  been  seen,  yet  Mr.  Mayer 
looked  at  it  with  as  much  pleasure  as 
11* 


118  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

if  it  were  an  exquisite  work  of  art. 
He  knew  that  love  had  prompted  the 
gift,  and  it  was  very  precious. 

Affection  was  all  the  more  wel 
come  to  Mr.  Mayer,  because  he  had 
been  so  long  alone  in  the  world,  a 
mere  student,  without  a  family  circle 
or  a  home.  Affection  he  prized  for 
its  own  sake ;  he  moreover  knew  that 
if  he  wished  to  lead  his  young  pa 
rishioners  heavenward,  they  must 
place  their  hands  lovingly  and  trust 
fully  in  his. 

Now,  he  looked  very  kindly  at 
Annie,  as  he  thanked  her  for  her 
gift. 

"  See,  how  nicely  it  fits,"  he  said, 
as  he  placed  his  great  silver  watch  in 
the  case.  "You  could  not  have  done 
better  if  you  had  taken  its  mea 


sure." 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  119 

Annie  looked  curiously  at  the 
watch,  and  Mr.  Mayer  put  it  in  her 
hand.  The  watch  was  covered  with 
deep  chasings,  and  was  as  thick  as 
two  watches,  such  as  are  now  made. 
"  This  was  my  grandfather's  watch," 
said  Mr.  Mayer,  opening  it,  and 
showing  the  works.  Annie  watched 
the  silent  motion  of  the  wheels,  while 
Mr.  Mayer  went  on  to  say, 

"  So  it  went,  tick,  tick,  when  my 
good  grandfather  was  alive.  His 
wonderful  body  wore  out,  and  was 
laid  in  the  grave,  yet  here  the  watch 
is  going,  going  still.  Does  a  watch 
then  last  longer  than  a  man]" 

Annie  looked  up  suddenly,  as  she 
answered, 

"Yes!  No!  A  kind  of  a  way." 

"It  lasts  longer  than  a  man's  body, 
but  the  watch  has  no  soul  to  live  for 


120  THE  BOY  FRIEND; 

ever,  when  it  is  worn  out,"  said  Mr. 
Mayer.  "  It  is  only  made  for  use  in 
this  world.  Yet  how  carefully  we 
use  it,  what  pains  we  take  lest  it 
should  be  injured.  Is  not  a  soul 
worth  as  much  trouble?  It  needs  to 
be  guarded  and  kept  from  harm,  too; 
but  does  it  not  need  something 
more]" 

"  It  needs  to  be  made  better,"  said 
Annie,  modestly. 

"Yes,  it  needs  [to  be  placed  in 
Jesus'  hands  to  be  made  pure,  and 
kept  in  the  right  way,  here  on  earth, 
and  then  it  will  be  his  in  the  happy 
home  in  heaven.  Does  not  Jesus 
hear  when  children  pray,  Annie  V9 

"I  suppose  so;  but  it  seems  as  if 
he  could  not  understand  what  chil 
dren  want,  as  he  does  grown-up  peo 
ple." 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  121 

"  Dear  little  Annie,  you  know  that 
Jesus  was  once  a  child.  You  remem 
ber  very  well  what  happened  yester 
day.  Jesus  never  forgets,  he  cannot 
forget.  He  remembers  as  well  now 
when  he  was  a  little  boy  at  Nazareth, 
as  you  do  what  you  saw  and  heard 
but  a  moment  ago.  He  knows  what 
it  is  to  live  in  a  child's  body,  and  to 
have  a  child's  troubles.  He  had  pa 
rents  to  obey,  and  young  companions 
to  make  happy.  He  has  not  forgot 
ten  a  child's  feelings,  he  can  sympa 
thize  with  you,  when  no  one  else  can. 
You  must  learn  to  love  him,  and  to 
go  to  him  in  all  your  joys  and  trou 
bles." 

As  Mr.  Mayer  closed,  Annie  looked 
up  earnestly  into  his  face,  and  said, 
with  a  great  effort,  three  simple 
words — "I  am  trying."  Three  sim- 


122  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

pie  words  they  were,  yet  they  filled 
the  heart  of  the  rector  with  pure 
joy.  Poor  little  Annie!  it  cost  her 
such  a  struggle  to  make  this  confes 
sion,  that  her  eyes  flowed  out  sud 
denly.  It  was,  to  her,  a  profession 
of  Christ — her  first  owning  to  any 
human  being  that  she  wanted  to  take 
him  for  her  Master.  Mr.  Mayer 
knelt  down  with  the  little  girl,  and 
spoke  for  her  to  the  loving  Saviour, 
who  was  once  a  child. 

When  Annie  went  forth  from 
that  room,  it  was  with  the  pleasant 
thought  that  Jesus  was  to  be  with 
her  by  the  way-side  and  in  her  home. 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  123 

'.• 

CHAPTER  XII. 

A    BLACK    SHADOW. 

FARMER  W  ATKINS'S  eyes  were  heavy 
with  sleep ;  he  was  for  once  weary — 
not  with  working,  but  with  watching. 
He  could  have  borne  harvesting  but 
with  a  single  hand  to  help  him,  bet 
ter  than  this  standing  by  a  sick-bed, 
day  and  night.  A  woman's  business 
he  said  it  was;  and  yet  it  was  plain 
his  heart  was  in  it. 

Farmer  Watkins  was  a  bachelor, 
and  not  much  in  the  habit  of  looking 
out  for  other  people's  comfort;  but 
there  was  one  man  on  his  place  who 
had  managed  to  get  a  hold  upon  him 
which  seemed  to  triumph  over  selfish 
ness.  Farmer  Watkins  loved  and 


124  THE   BOY  FRIEND; 

respected  Jack  Tyler,  and  he  could 
not  see  him  stretched  on  a  sick-bed 
without  many  a  pang.  Jack  had 
been  seized  with  a  malignant  fever; 
two  days  and  nights  his  employer 
had  been  at  his  side,  nursing  him  as 
tenderly  as  was  consistent  with  his 
rough  hands  and  rougher  ways. 

Now  night  was  settling  over  the 
farm-house,  and  sleep  seemed  threat 
ening  to  take  an  equally  firm  hold  of 
the  watcher.  Farmer  Watkins  paced 
the  room,  shook  himself,  reminded 
himself  of  the  medicines  to  be  given 
at  every  half  hour  through  the  night. 
He  looked  at  Jack,  tossing,  and  mur 
muring  strange  nonsense,  as  the  fever 
was  on  him.  No!  the  good  fellow 
should  have  proper  care;  with  stern 
determination  in  his  face,  the  farmer 
took  his  seat.  His  eyes,  notwith- 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  125 

standing  his  resolutions,  were  begin 
ning  to  close,  when  there  was  a  rap 
at  the  outer  door.  A  hand  soon 
beckoned  the  farmer  from  his  post. 

Mr.  Mayer  was  in  the  hall  below. 
He  had  come,  he  said,  to  pass  the 
night  with  Jack.  Farmer  Watkins 
looked  at  the  minister,  and  exclaim 
ed,  "  It's  catchin',  the  fever  is.  You 
are  worth  too  much  to  be  took  down 
that  way.  No,  no!  I  can  stand  it 
out  a  good  piece  longer." 

The  farmer  felt  very  wide  awake 
in  the  fresh  air  of  the  hall,  but  when, 
a  half  hour  afterwards,  he  lay  on  his 
own  bed,  he  slept  as  if  he  was  in 
a  trance,  save  that  his  deep  snores 
sounded  through  the  house  like  the 
voice  of  a  trumpet. 

Through  the  weary  night  hours 
sat  Mr.  Mayer  by  the  bed  of  Jack 
12 


126  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

Tyler.  The  sufferer  knew  a  gentle 
hand  ministered  to  him,  and  now  and 
then  a  strange  glance  of  half-puzzled 
recognition  lighted  up  his  features. 

Those  ravings,  those  muttered 
words  of  delirium,  were  poor  com 
panionship  in  the  midnight  hour; 
yet  even  in  them  the  minister  found 
comfort.  They  were  but  the  upturn 
ing  of  a  mind  where  evil  had  been 
allowed  no  resting-place,  and  habits 
of  sin  were  strangers.  Jack  had 
fallen  into  a  quiet  doze,  when,  in  the 
gray  dawn,  the  farmer  appeared  at 
the  door.  Refreshed  by  his  night's 
sleep,  he  realized  all  the  more  the 
kindness  of  the  "friend  in  need" 
who  had  relieved  him  at  his  post, 
and  his  thanks  were  in  proportion  to 
his  appreciation  of  the  service  ren 
dered  him. 


OR,   ALL   CAN  HELP.  127 

A  messenger  on  horseback  had 
come  with  a  summons  for  Mr.  Mayer. 
The  same  fever  that  had  prostrated 
the  strong  woodman,  Jack  Tyler,  and 
closed  for  ever  the  eyes  of  old  Katy 
Brown,  has  filled  Augusta  Berridge's 
veins  with  fire.  Augusta's  mind  still 
had  its  power  to  think  and  reason; 
that  power  but  rendered  more  fearful 
the  agony  she  endured — agony  both 
of  body  and  mind.  Her  present  suf 
ferings  seemed  to  bring  before  her  a 
faint  image  of  what  might  be  in  store 
for  her  soul — that  soul  to  which  she 
had  given  so  little  thought  in  her 
days  of  health.  And  was  her  mother 
her  guide  and  comforter  in  this  time 
of  distress]  Alas,  for  Mrs.  Berridge! 
she  knew  not  the  Heavenly  Friend 
after  whom  her  daughter  was  feeling 
in  the  midst  of  a  "horror  of  great 


128  THE   BOY  FRIEND; 

darkness."  She  knew  not  the  way 
to  the  foot  of  the  cross;  like  Augusta, 
she  was  but  beginning  to  seek  that 
which  she  should  first  have  sought, 
"the  kingdom  of  heaven,  and  its 
righteousness." 

Again.and  again,  in  Augusta's  sick 
room,  Mr.  Mayer  had  lifted  up  the 
voice  of  prayer.  Where  duty  called, 
Marshall  Mayer  could  go,  though 
with  every  breath  he  might  take  in 
a  fatal  disease. 

Now  he  urged  his  horse  onward, 
as  he  hastened  to  the  saddened  home 
of  Mrs.  Berridge. 

Annie  noiselessly  opened  the  door, 
and  Charlie  silently  extended  a  hand 
to  him  in  the  hall.  To  the  bedside 
of  jthe  altered  girl  he  was  promptly 
led. 

"Where  was  the  sparkling  vivacity 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  129 

that  had  distinguished  Augusta  Ber- 
ridge  a  few  short  weeks  before]  Sad, 
sunken  eyes  looked  forth  from  her 
thin,  pale  face,  and  no  words  of  sar 
castic  mirth  came  from  her  parched 
lips.  Yet  those  lips  had  been  able 
to  cry,  "God  be  merciful  to  me  a 
sinner!" — those  sad  eyes  had  been 
lifted  to  Heaven. 

Mr.  Mayer  knew  that  he  was  in 
the  presence  of  a  soul  trembling  on 
the  brink  of  eternity;  and  O  how 
tenderly,  how  faithfully  he  pictured 
the  blessed  Jesus,  coming  to  seek  and 
to  save  them  that  were  lost.  How, 
like  a  child  drawing  near  to  a  father, 
he  drew  near  to  God,  asking  his  best 
blessings  of  mercy  for  her  who  so 
"earnestly  desired  pardon  and  for 
giveness." 

Would  the  Saviour  stoop  to  one 
12* 


THE  BOY  FRIEND; 

sinner  more,  and  lift  her  soul  from 
the  dust?  Would  Augusta  Berridge 
be  raised  up  to  serve  her  Maker'? 

Who  can  tell  the  issues  of  life  and 
death!  Who  knows,  lying  down  at 
evening,  if  he  will  rise  in  the  morn 
ing'?  Who  knows  when  the  petted 
body  will  sicken  and  die,  and  the 
neglected  soul  be  called  to  account? 

This  only  we  know,  "God  waiteth 
to  be  gracious."  Unto  us  he  saith, 
"Now  is  the  accepted  time,  now  is 
the  day  of  salvation." 


OR,   ALL   CAN    HELP.  131 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

PUEER     AIR. 

MEEDYILLE  had  been  considered  one 
of  those  healthy  places,  where  it  is  of 
no  use  for  young  doctors  to  settle. 
There  was  no  part  of  the  quiet  coun 
try  town  given  up  to  wickedness  and 
dirt,  those  great  fosterers  of  disease 
and  death. 

Now  and  then  an  infant  was  laid 
in  its  quiet  tomb,  like  a  flower  drop 
ped  on  the  bosom  of  mother  earth. 
Now  and  then  a  hoary  head  drooped, 
as  the  ripened  seed,  and  like  that 
seed,  was  planted,  to  rise  on  the 
resurrection  morn. 

Occasionally  some  young,  fair  girl, 
or  a  man  in  the  fulness  of  his 


132  THE  BOY  FRIEND; 

strength,  was  called  to  lie  down  and 
die,  as  if  to  say,  in  words  too  start 
ling  to  be  mistaken,  "Watch,  there 
fore,  for  ye  know  not  the  day  or  the 
hour  when  the  Son  of  Man  cometh." 
So  it  had  been  at  Meedville,  since 
the  now  white-haired  settlers  made 
for  themselves,  in  their  youth,  a 
home  in  the  wilderness.  No  pesti 
lence  had  ever  prevailed  in  the 
favoured  spot;  and  but  for  his  own 
independent  income,  the  slow-moving, 
cheerful-looking  old  doctor  would 
have  had  to  give  up  his  profession, 
and  devote  himself  to  some  more 
money-making  business. 

The  sudden  appearance  of  a  malig 
nant,  contagious  fever  among  them, 
had  struck  the  people  of  Meedville 
with  a  fearful  panic.  The  stout 
hearted  failed  in  this  time  of  need; 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  133 

and  there  were  more  to  take  the  swift 
cars,  and  flee  from  the  scene  of  con 
tagion,  than  to  stand  by  the  bedsides 
of  the  sufferers,  with  the  patient  ten 
derness  of  a  skilful  nurse. 

It  was  at  this  time  that  Marshall 
Mayer  moved  among  the  sick  and 
dying,  to  soothe  the  pain-racked 
body,  and  comfort  the  sin-sick  soul. 
He  had  no  near  relations  to  mourn 
his  loss;  no  home  would  be  left  deso 
late  if  he  were  taken  away.  Per 
haps  these  circumstances  made  it 
easier  for  him  to  peril  his  life  where 
others  dared  not  to  go;  but  the  great 
well-spring  of  his  courage  was  his 
deep  conviction  that  death  could  have 
no  terrors  for  him,  for  his  Lord  had 
died. 

The  friends  who  gather  round  us 
in  health,  and  add  their  joy  to  ours, 


134  THE  BOY   FRIEND; 

are  dear;  but  dearer  are  those  who 
come  to  us  when  sickness  makes 
dreary  the  family  hearth,  and  silences 
the  voice  of  mirth.  Ah!  how  we 
prize  the  friend  that  comes  like  a 
sister  to  relieve  the  worn-out  nurses, 
and  give  the  sufferer  a  placid  face  to 
look  upon,  not  yet  marked  with  the 
weariness  of  long  watching!  How 
we  welcome  the  manly  form  that  can 
bow  at  the  sick-bed  with  a  woman's 
tenderness,  yet  lends  its  strength, 
like  a  rock,  for  the  helpless  to  rest 
upon! 

Years  of  ordinary  ministry  might 
have  done  less  to  draw  Marshall 
Mayer  near  to  his  people  than  did 
those  few  dark,  dark  weeks,  when 
fever  hung  round  them  like  a  plague. 
They  could  not  but  love  the  friend 
who  had  been  their  human  stay  in 


OR,  ALL  CAN  HELP.  135 

the  time  of  their  visitation,  and  had 
taught  them  where  to  seek  for  a  sup 
port  that  would  not  fail  them  when 
called  to  go  through  the  deep  waters 
of  affliction,  or  to  enter  the  valley  of 
the  shadow  of  death.  Mr.  Mayer's 
regular,  temperate  life,  and  his  vigor 
ous  constitution,  had  prepared  him 
to  endure  great  fatigue.  Though. 
Mrs.  Toombs  daily  fretted  at  his  ex 
posing  his  valuable  life,  and  daily 
looked  to  see  him  laid  upon  his  sick 
bed,  he  did  but  grow  a  little  paler 
and  thinner,  while  his  face  took  a 
more  and  more  sweetly  placid  ex 
pression.  The  good  woman  at  length 
gave  over  her  murmurings,  and  ex 
pended  her  energies  in  preparing 
cooling  drinks  for  fevered  lips,  and 
nourishing  food  for  the  convale 
scents. 


136  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

Health  once  more  began  to  throb 
in  Jack  Tyler's  veins.  Augusta  Ber- 
ridge,  too,  was  coming  back  to  life, 
looking  like  a  shadow  from  the  spirit 
land.  Jack  was  rising  up  to  be 
doubly  pledged  to  a  life  of  useful 
ness,  and  Augusta  thought  her  soul 
as  much  changed  as  her  poor  altered 
body.  Her  soul  was  changed  truly; 
it  was  now  her  chief  wish  and  pur 
pose  to  obey  and  serve  her  Heavenly 
Father,  rather  than  follow  the  evil 
promptings  of  her  own  evil  nature. 
This  change  had  taken  place,  but 
Augusta  had  her  natural  character 
to  struggle  with,  her  wrong  habits 
to  overcome.  She  had  a  work  before 
her  that  could  only  be  accomplished 
by  watchfulness  and  prayer. 

The  cloud  seemed  to  have  passed 
away  from  Meedville,  and  many  hearts 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  137 

were  full  of  gratitude.  White  slabs 
had  suddenly  clustered  among  the 
moss-grown  stones  of  the  graveyard, 
and  mourning  garments  had  taken 
the  place  of  gay  attire;  yet  the 
scourge  had  proved  a  blessing,  and 
"the  Lord  and  Giver  of  life"  had 
written  many  new  names  in  his  book 
of  remembrance. 


13 


138  THE  BOY  FRIEND; 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

A    VESTRY-MEETING. 

THE  year  for  which  Mr.  Mayer  had 
been  engaged  to  supply  the  pulpit  at 
Meedville  had  passed.  Mrs.  Toombs 
was  restless  and  uneasy;  but  Charlie 
Clement  was  confident  that  his  wishes 
were  to  be  realized.  The  Vestry 
held  their  meeting;  the  very  chil 
dren  in  the  street  would  have  re 
proached  them  had  their  decision 
been  other  than  it  was. 

Who  should  they  have  for  their 
pastor]  Who  would  so  care  for  their 
souls,  as  the  dear  friend  who  had  not 
hesitated  to  risk  his  life  on  their  be 
half?  They  knew  who  was  welcome 
when  the  spirit  saw  eternity  opening 


OR,  ALL  CAN  HELP.  139 

before  it.  They  knew  who  could 
wipe  away  the  mourner's  tear,  and 
whisper  words  of  consolation.  They 
knew  who  could  win  the  hearts  of 
their  little  ones,  and  lead  them  to 
Jesus.  The  meeting  of  the  Vestry 
was  but  an  occasion  for  expressing 
the  rejoicing  that  Mr.  Mayer  could 
be  retained  among  them.  As  with 
one  voice  they  declared  it  their  be 
lief,  that  God  had  greatly  blessed 
them  in  sending  one  to  labour  among 
them,  who  was  such  a  faithful  fol 
lower  of  his  gracious  Lord.  Mr. 
Mayer's  long  years  of  loneliness  had 
not  deadened  his  heart  to  affection, 
and  when  his  people,  with  a  sponta 
neous  movement,  waited  upon  him  to 
express  their  attachment,  and  to  beg 
him  to  remain  among  them,  his  heart 
was  so  warmed  and  touched  that  his 


140          THE  BOY  FRIEND; 

lips  refused  to  speak,  and  but  his 
moistened  eyes,  for  a  moment,  gave 
answer;  and  then  he  broke  forth  in 
the  touching  words  of  Ruth — "  This 
people  shall  be  my  people,  and  their 
God  my  God;  and  the  Lord  do  so  to 
me,  and  more  also,  if  aught  but  death 
part  them  and  me !" 

And  did  the  people  of  Meedville 
fancy  they  had  secured  perfection  in 
their  rector]  No!  They  knew  him  to 
be  "a  man  subject  to  like  passions  as 
themselves,"  heir  of  the  same  corrup 
tion,  redeemed  by  the  same  Saviour, 
to  be  gradually  sanctified  by  the  same 
Spirit.  Who  but  one  struggling 
against  sin  could  so  feel  for  the 
tempted  1  Who  better  than  a  sinner 
clinging  to  the  cross  of  Christ,  could 
point  out  to  the  despairing  the  only 
sure  refuge]  Who  but  one  "bought 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  141 

with  a  price,"  could  devote  himself 
body,  soul,  and  spirit,  to  the  work  of 
his  Heavenly  Master? 

Of  our  Saviour  it  is  said,  "  Where 
fore  in  all  things  it  behooved  him  to 
be  made  like  unto  his  brethren,  that 
he  might  be  a  merciful  and  faithful 
high-priest,  in  things  pertaining  to 
God,  to  make  reconciliation  for  the 
sins  of  the  people.  For  in  that  he 
himself  hath  suffered  being  tempted, 
he  is  able  to  succour  them  that  are 
tempted."  If  even  the  Lord  Jesus 
took  upon  himself  human  flesh,  that 
he  might  be  our  compassionate  Re 
deemer,  we  need  not  wonder  that  no 
perfect  men  are  sent  among  us  as  our 
ministers.  God  chooses  in  the  midst 
"of  weakness  to  show  his  strength. 
To  those  who  lean  wholly  upon  him, 
in  the  fulfilment  of  their  high  com- 
13* 


142  THE    BOY    FRIEND; 

mission,  he  gives  a  power  to  become 
holy,  and  a  might  to  minister  in  his 
service,  that  redounds  all  the  more  to 
his  honour  for  the  weakness  of  the 
instrument  employed.  The  people 
of  Meedville  had  found  no  perfect 
being,  but  they  had  been  blessed  with 
the  services  of  a  true,  conscientious, 
devoted  Christian  man.  He  was 
their  ordained  and  instituted  guide  in 
the  heavenly  way.  To  him  they 
meant  to  give  not  a  pittance,  but  an 
abundant  support;  not  criticism  and 
opposition,  but  confidence  and  co 
operation.  They  would  join  him  in 
his  prayers,  hear  him  in  his  sermons, 
honour  him  by  obedience  to  his 
counsel. 


OR,   ALL   CA.N   HELP.  143 


CHAPTER  XV. 

CONCLUSION. 

CHARLIE  CLEMENT  was  going  home 
for  his  vacation.  Home!  His  very 
heart  leaped  at  the  word.  Dearer 
than  ever  seemed  his  mother  to  him, 
and  he  longed  to  be  once  more  at  her 
side.  Mingled  with  all  this  joy  was 
much  regret  at  leaving  Meedville, 
even  for  a  short  time.  There  were 
now  many  ties  to  bind  him  to  his 
aunt's  family  circle,  to  his  dear  min 
ister,  and  to  the  church,  where  he 
had  first  come  forward  to  commemo 
rate  his  Saviour's  love. 

Meedville  would  ever  be  dear  to 


144  THE   BOY   FRIEND; 

him,  a  place  around  which  the  most 
delightful  associations  would  cluster. 

Charlie  had  been  saying  something 
like  this  to  the  family  circle  gather 
ed  about  him  on  the  morning  of  his 
departure. 

"  We  shall  all  miss  you  sadly.  I 
never  had  any  idea  before  what  a 
comfort  a  son  might  be  to  a  widowed 
mother,"  said  Mrs.  Berridge,  fondly. 

"I  can't  bear  to  let  you  go," 
said  Annie,  drawing  closer  to  her 
cousin,  in  her  affectionate  way.  "  I 
liked  you  at  first,  but  lately  you  seem 
nicer — not  so  old,  somehow." 

"We  must  become  as  little  child 
ren,  if  we  would  enter  the  kingdom 
of  heaven,"  said  Mr.  Mayer,  who  was 
enjoying  the  last  hour  of  Charlie's 
stay  with  him. 

"  Yes !"  said  Charlie,  earnestly,  and 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  145 

his  heart  was  full  of  humble  joy.  No 
parting  gift  could  have  been  so  pre 
cious  to  Charlie,  as  Annie's  uncon 
scious  words.  Had  he  then  triumphed 
in  a  measure  over  his  besetting  sin! 
The  thought  was  a  spring  to  new 
exertion ;  new  effort  to  seek  the  hu 
mility  which  is  the  crowning  grace 
of  the  young  Christian. 

Mrs.  Berridge  was  at  this  moment 
called  out  of  the  room.  The  visitor 
was  no  other  than  Mrs.  Toombs,  who 
modestly  refused  to  enter  the  house 
farther  than  the  dining-room.  She 
no  longer  looked  on  Mrs.  Berridge  as 
her  natural  enemy,  and  had  said,  in 
her  own  queer  way,  "  I  was  all  wrong, 
to  want  nobody  to  sit  by  Mr.  Mayer 
but  me.  The  more  friends  he  has, 
the  better,  I  say  now." 

This  morning  she  had  come  with 


146  THE  BOY   FRIEND; 

a  basket  of  choice  sandwiches  for 
"Mr.  Charlie  to  eat  on  the  way,  and 
to  wish  him  good  luck,  as  the  warm 
est  hearted  boy  that  ever  came  to 
Meedville." 

When  Mrs.  Berridge  urged  her  to 
give  her  message  in  person,  she 
shrunk  back  in  dismay,  and  abruptly 
disappeared.  Mrs.  Toombs  was  still 
Mrs.  Toombs,  though  profiting  by  the 
ministrations  of  her  much-respected 
rector. 

Mrs.  Berridge  returned  to  the  par 
lour,  and  gave  the  basket  and  message 
to  Charlie.  Very  welcome  they  both 
seemed.  . 

"I  like  her,  and  I  thank  her,"  said 
Charlie.  "  We  can't  all  be  the  same. 
Variety  is  the  spice  of  life." 

Augusta  was  going  to  hazard  one 
of  her  old  sharp  remarks  about  Mrs. 


OR,   ALL    CAN   HELP.  147 

Toombs.  "But  we  don't  want  pep 
per  in  puddings,  or  Mrs.  Toombs' 
peculiarities  in  a  woman,"  she  was 
going  to  say;  but  she  changed  her 
mind,  and  was  silent.  Augusta  had 
learned  something  about  the  "  unruly 
member,"  and  was  trying  hard  to 
govern  it. 

"Have  you  everything  ready, 
Charlie'?"  said  Mrs.  Berridge,  with 
a  motherly,  anxious  look. 

Charlie  did  not  resent  the  imputa 
tion  upon  his  skill  as  a  traveller,  but 
held  up  the  cap  in  his  hand,  saying, 
"I  have  only  this  to  put  on,  Aunt." 

"  And  that  you  will  have  to  do  at 
once,  for  here  is  the  hack  at  the 
door,"  said  Augusta.  "  You  have 
been  a  real  good  cousin  to  me,  and 
I  can't  bear  to  spare  you,"  she  added, 


148  THE   BOY  FRIEND; 

in  a  lower  voice.  "Your  example 
has  been  a  great  deal  to  me !" 

Annie  had  to  let  go  her  hold  upon 
her  cousin,  and  all  the  good-byes 
had  to  come  to  an  end,  for  the  cars 
would  not  wait,  and  the  slow  hack- 
horses  must  have  full  time  allowed 
them. 

"I  am  so  glad  I  shall  have  you 
here  when  I  come  back,"  said  Charlie 
to  Mr.  Mayer,  when  they  were  seated 
in  the  hack. 

"And  I  am  glad  you  are  coming 
back,"  responded  Mr.  Mayer.  "  I 
have  never  told  you,  Charlie,  how 
your  bright  young  face  broke  in  upon 
my  studies,  and  changed  the  mere 
student  into  something  like  a  pastor. 
Your  visit  was  a  real  heart-warming 
to  me.  I  shall  miss  you  sadly." 

"And  what  have  you  not  done  for 


OR,   ALL   CAN   HELP.  149 

me]"  said  Charlie,  earnestly,  "poor, 
self-important  boy  that  I  was.  If  I 
ever  am  the  humble  Christian  I  want 
to  be,  I  shall  have  to  thank  you  for 
setting  me  on  my  guard  against  my 
besetting  sin." 

"  Dear  Charlie,  every  character  has 
its  own  peculiar  faults,  to  be  strug 
gled  against  with  watchfulness  and 
prayer.  I  will  not  speak  of  mine;  but 
I  must  say  that  a  loving,  earnest,  young 
parishioner,  may  do  much  for  his 
minister,  in  his  inner  work,  as  well  as 
his  outward  labours.  God  bless  you, 
my  boy,  and  sustain  you  in  all  your 
temptations  until  we  meet  again." 

Very  affectionate  was  the  parting  be 
tween  Mr.  Mayer  and  Charlie.  Away 
went  the  happy  lad  to  his  mother 
and  his  home;  back  returned  the 
minister  to  his  well-beloved  parish. 
14 


150  THE    BOY   FRIEND; 

We  need  no  prophet's  eye  to  trace 
their  future  course.  Each  will  go  on 
as  he  has  begun.  Charlie  will  be 
the  faithful,  active,  affectionate  pa 
rishioner.  Taking  his  heart  in  his 
right  hand,  and  his  purse  in  his  left, 
he  will  devote  his  all  to  the  service 
of  his  Maker,  and  ever  be  to  his  min 
ister  the  tried  and  trusted  friend;  free 
to  give  his  sympathy  and  his  aid  in 
every  perplexity  and  every  good 
work. 

The  Rev.  Marshall  Mayer  will  fol 
low  close  upon  the  footsteps  of  his 
Divine  Master.  For  the  bodies  as 
well  as  the  souls  of  his  people  he 
will  feel  a  tender  interest.  In  their 
temporal  trials,  as  in  their  spiritual 
need,  he  will  be  their  comforter  and 
their  best  adviser. 

To  him  the  hoary  head  will  look  up, 


OR,    ALL    CAN    HELP.  151 

his  hand  will  lead  the  children  in  the 
way.  He  will  not  sink  under  the  re 
sponsibilities  of  his  office.  Cheerfully 
hopefully,  he  will  go  forward.  Trust 
ing  in  the  Captain  of  his  Salvation, 
he  will  be  sure  to  come  off  victorious. 
For  him  will  be  "  laid  up  a  crown  of 
rejoicing,"  when  he  shall  appear  in 
the  kingdom  of  the  redeemed.  For 
him  will  sound  the  voice  of  welcome 
at  the  gates  of  the  heavenly  city. 


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DIDLEY  DUMPS; 

Or,  the   Story  of  John   Ellard,  the   Newsboy. 
Illustrated.     18mo.     50  cents. 

We  should  love  to  scatter  this  little  book  by  the 
thousand.  We  regard  it  as  a  model  of  simplicity. 
He  who  can  read  it  without  tears  of  sympathy  for 
the  outcast  and  neglected,  and  without  prayers  that 
they  may  be  saved,  hath  a  hard  nature.  It  is  the 
story  of  a  poor  little  hump-backed  newsboy,  who  by 
kindness  and  love  was  won  from  the  paths  of  sin  to 
the  feet  of  a  forgiving  and  loving  Saviour.  He  died 
in  his  bed,  after  having  been  frequently  helped  by 
newsboys'  hands  into  an  attitude  of  prayer.  The 
book  is  both  an  argument  for  missionary  work  among 
the  poor  and  the  neglected,  and  a  beautiful  illustra 
tion  of  what  that  work  may  accomplish. — Christian 
Chronicle. 

NO  LIE  THRIVES. 

A  book  for  Boys.     By  the  author  of  "Charlie 
Burton."     Illustrated.     18mo.     50  cents. 

A  tale  of  deep  interest,  well  conceived,  and  skil 
fully  constructed.  It  forcibly  portrays  the  evils  of 
deceit  and  falsehood,  and,  on  the  contrary,  the  ad 
vantages  of  a  strict  adherence  to  truth. — Presbyte 
rian. 


MARK  NOBLE ; 

Or,  the  Button  Necklace.     Illustrated.     18mo. 
30  cents. 

This  is  a  story  of  two  deserted  orphan  children, 
who  were  left  to  the  sorrows  and  the  temptations  of 
the  streets  of  London.— Christian  Chronicle. 
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WILLIE  AND  NELLIE; 

Or,  Stories  about  My  Canaries.  By  Cousin  Sa 
rah.  Square  16mo.  Illustrated.  50  cents 

This  little  book  is  full  of  pleasantly  told  stories 
about  these  pet  birds,  and  is  exactly  calculated  to 
please  and  interest  little  children. — JEpis.  Recorder. 

MAMMA'S  LESSONS  ABOUT  JESUS. 

By  a  Mother.  With  four  beautiful  Illustrations. 
12mo.  75  cents. 

We  cordially  commend  this  book  to  mothers  who 
are  desirous  of  imbuing  the  tender  minds  of  their 
children  with  the  saving  truths  of  the  evangelical 
history.  It  is  simple  without  being  childish,  or  in 
any  way  lowering  the  dignity  of  the  sacred  narra 
tive.  We  have  seldom  met  with  a  book  of  the  kind 
which  has  pleased  us  so  well.  Let  mothers  try  it  in 
the  instruction  of  their  children. 

BLIND  TOM; 

Or,  the  Lost  Found.  With  four  Illustrations. 
18mo.  50  cents. 

The  authoress  has  succeeded  in  throwing  around 
the  history  of  a  friendless  little  boy  an  unusual  charm 
by  her  natural  and  happy  method  of  portraying  the 
incidents  of  his  life.  Some  of  the  scenes  are  graphic 
and  touching,  evincing  no  ordinary  ability  in  the 
writer  as  a  delineator  of  character. 

ROBERT  AND  HAROLD; 

Or,  the  Young  Marooners  on  the  Florida  Coast. 
By  F.  R.  Goulding.  With  Twelve  Illustrations. 
Eighth  thousand.  16mo.  75  cents. 

There  is  in  this  little  volume  for  the  young,  a  sin 
gular  blending  of  fact  with  fiction,  of  curious  and 
useful  information  with  exciting  adventure;  such  as 
almost  tempts  us  to  set  it  apart  as  a  new  species  of 
juvenile  literature.  The  adventures  of  the  Young 
Marooners  are  nearly  as  wild  and  exciting  as  .Robin 
son  Crusoe ;  and  yet  we  understand  the  author  to  say 
they  are  substantially  true.  The  incidents  of  the 

3 


story  are  adroitly  arranged  to  bring  into  view  a  great 
variety  of  curious  information,  much  of  which  is  as 
useful  as  it  is  novel  and  stirring.  Altogether  we  do 
not  hesitate  to  say  that  it  is  a  remarkable  little  book ; 
and  will  undoubtedly  become  a  great  favourite  with 
the  young,  as  it  well  deserves  the  confidence  and  fa- 
>vour  of  parents. — Biblical  Repertory. 

HEIGHTS  OF  EIDELBERG; 

By  Helen  Hazlett.     Illustrated.    16mo.    75  cents. 
A  story  of  absorbing  interest. 

IDOLETTE  STANLEY; 

Or,  The  Beauty  of  Discipline.  Illustrated.  16mo. 
75  cents. 

The  story  of  a  petted  child,  and  her  trials  in  con 
quering  herself  into  submission  to  the  better  sense 
and  discretion  of  her  elders. 

INFLUENCE. 

A  Moral  Tale  for  Young  People.  By  Charlotte 
An  I  py,  author  of  "Miriam."  16mo.  75  cents. 

A  delightful  story,  full  of  pure  sentiment  and  ele 
vated  moral. — Inquirer. 

By  the  Author  of  the  Basket  of  Flowers. 

I. 
THE  BASKET  OF  FLOWERS; 

Or,  Piety  and  Truth  Triumphant.  With  Illustra 
tions.  Sixteenth  edition.  18mo.  31  cents. 

II. 
ROSA,  OF  LINDEN  CASTLE; 

Or,  Filial  Affection.  A  Tale  for  Parents  and 
Children.  Illustrated.  18mo.  50  cents. 

III. 
THE  RINGS; 

Or,   the  Two  Orphans.     Illustrated.     18mo.     31 
cents. 
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